BRUSSELS – Amid ongoing tensions and with a U.S. peace initiative still uncertain, the European Union is aiming for stronger ties with Ukraine in the defense sector. On Tuesday, the EU’s defense chief called for greater integration of the bloc’s military industry with Ukraine, as Russia’s unconventional warfare tactics continue to unsettle the 27-member union.

The EU Parliament is set to vote on a substantial 1.5-billion euro ($1.7 billion) defense initiative, with 300 million euros ($345 million) specifically earmarked for the Ukraine Support Instrument. This proposal underscores the EU’s intent to bolster its defense collaboration with Ukraine, despite the complexities of ongoing peace negotiations.

Addressing EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, Andrius Kubilius, the EU Defense Commissioner, emphasized Ukraine’s pivotal role in the bloc’s defense strategy. “Ukraine’s defense industry is in need of our support,” Kubilius remarked, highlighting the mutual benefits of such collaboration. “However, it is Ukraine’s defense innovations that we require even more,” he added, pointing to the potential for groundbreaking advancements.

Kubilius further outlined the benefits of Ukrainian access to the EU’s Defence Investment Program, which would facilitate the procurement of defense equipment both in and for Ukraine. This initiative represents a significant step towards integrating Ukraine into the EU’s defense ecosystem.

This year, EU defense spending is projected to reach approximately 392 billion euros (over $450 billion), a stark increase compared to spending levels four years ago, prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This escalation reflects the EU’s growing commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities in response to regional threats.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has indicated a shift in focus towards U.S. domestic security and strategic interests in Asia, signaling to European nations that they must take a more active role in ensuring their own security and supporting Ukraine moving forward.

Born out of the carnage of the two world wars, the EU started as a trading bloc designed to avert conflict. But Russia’s war in Ukraine has spurred a shift in the Brussels-based bloc, heightening its defense and security posture.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, believes that about 3.4 trillion euros ($4 trillion) will probably be spent on defense over the next decade. To help, it intends to propose boosting the EU’s long-term budget for defense and space to 131 billion euros ($153 billion).

EU member countries are being urged to buy much of their military equipment within the bloc, working mostly with European suppliers — in some cases with EU help to cut prices and speed up orders. Under the road map, EU nations should only purchase equipment from abroad when costs, performance or supply delays make it preferable.

Kubilius said that EU-based defense companies can apply for tax breaks and other financial incentives to fund so-called European defense projects of common interest that “no member state can ever build alone, but that will protect the whole of Europe,” like Eastern Flank Watch, Drone Defense Initiative or Space Shield.

Permitting Ukrainian companies to participate in these projects “allows us to inject Ukrainian military innovation in the European defense industry,” he said.

Last week, the European Commission rolled out a new defense package to allow tanks and troops to deploy more rapidly across Europe as well as the EU Defense Industry Transformation Roadmap, which aims to simplify and unify regulations on the EU’s defense industry, and corral investment into domestic production of weapons, vehicles, satellites, shells and bullets.