On 11-13 March, NAKO Executive Director Olena Tregub attended the second Paris Defence and Strategy Forum, organised by the French Ministry of Defence under the patronage of President Emmanuel Macron.
The Forum was held under the theme "Europe at a Crossroads" and brought together more than 350 politicians, military officers and representatives of the defence sector from 30 countries. Participants discussed the development of new security and defence partnerships, regional and geopolitical issues and the technological potential of the armed forces. A separate panel of the Forum was dedicated to the Ukrainian defence industry, which discussed the expansion of cooperation between the defence sectors of Ukraine and Europe.
"In short, Europe is waking up, but it hasn't woken up yet. What I heard in the conversations between officials and the military at this conference can be described in one word—confusion. It is clear that there is still a lack of understanding that concrete actions are needed, not just statements," said the NAKO Executive Director.
At the same time, Olena Tregub noted that the forum was dominated by the issue of Ukraine, which is beginning to be perceived in Europe as an important political entity. "The Ukrainian army was recognised as the strongest in Europe and its work was analysed, as was the Ukrainian defence industry. The participants talked about what needs to be done to improve the defence industry in Europe. This is a new trend that did not exist before. This means that the messages and rhetoric have become correct. However, the words of the Forum participants still show that Europe is waiting. We see that some processes have already started, but there is a lack of urgency," she said.
Although Ukraine is increasingly integrated into the European security architecture, the process is too slow, said Tregub. She expressed her belief that Ukrainian business and civil society should build stronger ties with Europe. "Europe must realise that it is Ukraine that will be the guarantor of its security, and Europe will be the guarantor of Ukraine's security," concluded the NAKO Executive Director.
First photo: Sebastien Lecornu / X