Von der Leyen: EU will deliver priority arms package to Ukraine by Easter
Ursula von der Leyen (Photo: John Thys/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo)
The European
Union plans to deliver a package of key military equipment to Ukraine by
Easter, April 12, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on
Feb. 24.
She said this at a joint news conference in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Council President António Costa. Scores of senior European officials are visiting Kyiv on Feb. 24, the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Von der Leyen said the first phase of what she called the "steel porcupine" initiative is intended to help meet Ukraine's pressing defense needs. She said Europe will be able to buy, produce, and supply modern weapons for Ukraine's armed forces in sufficient quantities.
“Together with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, we identified a first and priority package,” she said.
“Our goal is to ensure its delivery by Easter. It will include drones and ammunition.”
Work is also under way to integrate Ukrainian and European
defense industries, von der Leyen said, adding that both sides have much to
learn from each other.
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