On 21 May 2025, NAKO Executive Director Olena Tregub joined the conference ‘Readiness 2030: New Framework for Ukrainian European Partnership’, which took place in the European Parliament.
The event was attended by Ukrainian and European officials, experts and public sector representatives. The focus was on practical steps to strengthen defence cooperation between Ukraine and the EU. In particular, the conference participants discussed:
- strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities through Ukrainian experience and military technologies;
- attracting investment in the defence sector and encouraging joint procurement between Ukraine and the EU;
- expanding cooperation between the Ukrainian and European defence industries.
As Olena Tregub observed, the overall impression remains ambiguous. Given Trump’s unpredictability, Europe is reluctant to make significant strategic decisions in the security and defence sector.
Despite the strengthening of rhetoric and the establishment of institutional frameworks, responsibility for the EU defence sector remains exclusively with national governments. This means that competition between EU member states persists, limiting collective action, explained NAKO Executive Director. ‘The EU aspires to play a greater role in the security sector, but it faces a chronic lack of a common strategic vision, a lack of resources and capacity for joint military planning, and most importantly, dependence on American security,’ she said.
She also drew attention to the fact that the EU, as an economic union, has no experience in military planning. Currently, this role is assigned to the NATO, which risks becoming irrelevant if the US withdraws. Europe understands this, but an alternative project is not on the agenda.
Olena Tregub also stressed that, in Europe’s rearmament process, Ukraine should not be a beneficiary but rather a partner, whose experience is important for building a new European security architecture.
