Ukraine and the European Union will hold a joint Forum of Defense Industries. It will take place on May 6 in Brussels, according to the press service of the European Commission.
More than 350 representatives of EU institutions, governments, European and Ukrainian defense industries, industry associations, key partner countries, and organizations will take part in the event.
The event will also be attended by EU Chief Diplomat Josep Borrell, Commissioner Thierry Breton, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder, and Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industry Oleksandr Kamyshyn.
As explained by the European Commission, the forum aims to strengthen cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in the defense industry, as well as to help Ukraine in the priority areas that are most required. These include air defense equipment, ammunition, missiles, and drones.
The forum will also be the first step in the implementation of the European Defense Industrial Strategy (EDIS).
What preceded it
Earlier, Ukraine launched the Defense Industries Forum. The first forum was held in Kyiv in 2023. It was attended by hundreds of international and Ukrainian defense companies.
Later, Ukraine invited Denmark to hold a joint Defense Industries Forum. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that he wanted Ukraine and the Western Balkan countries to hold a defense industry forum together.