European Union defense ministers will gather in Brussels to discuss strategic priorities for defense policy and support for Ukraine in its fight for independence and territorial integrity
The highly important EU Council meeting is scheduled for May 20 and is expected to serve as a key platform for formulating a unified position on further effective steps aimed at strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities and actively supporting Ukrainian sovereignty. According to sources from "European Pravda" citing comments by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, an EU Defense Council meeting is currently taking place in Brussels in the morning, while a joint foreign ministers' meeting is planned for the second half of the day. The main topics of discussion will include the situation around Ukraine and measures to enhance the defense capabilities of member states. "In light of recent events, it has become clear that we need to ensure stable and active support for Ukraine," Pistorius stated during media comments. He emphasized that specific measures to assist Kyiv will be on the agenda, along with a strategy to coordinate efforts to strengthen the European continent’s defense potential. "This will be part two of our discussion, and we will talk about how we can specifically reinforce European defense systems," the German minister added. Particular attention on the agenda is given to the initiative of the EU High Representative to ensure Ukraine receives 2 million artillery shells this year. According to Pistorius, Germany is already preparing substantial contributions to the implementation of this plan. This effort is part of a broader strategy to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, which is becoming a key element in fulfilling international obligations and maintaining stability in the region. Regarding the preparedness of European defense forces, Pistorius believes it is time to move away from the dominant approach in which each country independently develops its armed forces, towards a joint mobilization and resource coordination. "Only through combined efforts, creating a unified logistics system, joint production of ammunition, and mutual assistance can we effectively increase Europe’s defense capacity," emphasized the German defense minister. He added that responsibility for modern military technology should fall on the countries with relevant expertise and capabilities. "We actively promote the idea that each ally should focus on areas where it possesses the best skills. For example, Germany is ready to strengthen both air defense systems and land and naval weapon systems," Pistorius stressed. In the context of global politics and diplomacy, the defense minister made several comments regarding US President Donald Trump’s communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He indicated that their dialogue shows Russia is currently not ready to make any concessions, maintaining its aggressive stance in the region. Reports from the reputable Financial Times suggest that after Trump’s conversations with the Kremlin, European leaders were quite disappointed by the tone and the information spread by the American president regarding diplomatic negotiations. As a result of this phone call, serious doubts have arisen about prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and political circles across Europe are increasingly discussing the possible long-term consequences of US policies and their influence on global processes. It is expected that the outcomes of the Brussels meeting will influence European and global approaches to supporting Ukraine and protecting European borders, as well as foster the mobilization of joint efforts to counter Russian aggression and strengthen the continent’s security as a whole.