As long as Zelenski asks to the European states of NATO to invest in the defense of Ukraine. “The options for peace would grow”
(From the left) The President of the European Commission, Ursula von Der Leyen, the President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, at the NATO chiefs summit on June 24, 2025. Photo: Jonas Roosens / AFP / Profimedia
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski asked on the NATO summit in The Hague on Tuesday, for European North Atlantic Alliance Member States to finance Ukraine's military aid in the Russian war with at least 0.25% of their GDP, writes the Spanish press agency EFE.
The Kiev leader advanced as an argument that Ukraine is fighting against a Russian aggression, which, in his opinion, threatens the whole of Europe.
“I thank all the countries, to all the leaders, who have committed to dedicate some of their defense expenses to support Ukraine,” Zelenski said in a debate on the defense industry, according to Agerpres.
“If all European countries dedicate at least 0.25% of their GDP for this -and we thank the countries that allocate more, such as the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and a great commitment as Germany -, quite reasonable, peace options in Europe would grow,” said the Ukrainian leader.
Ursula von der Leyen: “As if Ukraine were in the EU”
Zelenski had a meeting with the head of the European Commission in The Hague, Ursula von der Leyen, who stressed that he aims to integrate European defense industries with the Ukrainian industry “as if Ukraine were in the EU.”
“We integrate our defense industries as if Ukraine was in the EU. It is a good thing for Ukraine and also good for Europe, as Ukraine now has an extraordinary innovation,” Ursula von der Leyen said.
The head of the Community Executive stressed that within the European Safe (Security for Europe) initiative, a program by which EU Member States can access loans in a total value of 150 billion euros for military procurement projects, these loans can be used by EU states and for investments in the Ukrainian defense industry, which will be accessed by Ukraine, countries.
