2025 must be the year of ramp-up of the arms industry in Europe, said the head of the Ministry of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, after the meeting of the E5 Group in Helenów. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that “support for the Ukrainian arms industry is a decisive factor that we must adequately support by financing Ukrainian purchases.”
Head of the Ministry of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized at the press conference that the European Five (E5) is a group of countries that want to coordinate activities for the development of the arms industry and support for Ukraine. He added that this is a format that complements relations within the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance.
As reported by the Polish Minister of Defense, the meeting participants confirmed allied support for Ukraine, determination to donate to this country and train soldiers.
He added that the talks also touched upon the development of production capabilities between Europe and Ukraine. – There are such opportunities, they are unused today. This can be a huge support for fighting Ukraine, he said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz: this must be the year of the expansion of the arms industry in Europe
The E5 group also discussed the possibilities of increasing defense potential. Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the need to standardize procedures and simplify the rules for the arms industry. He added that the arms industry should be the driving force of European economies. – The year 2025 must be the year of ramping up the arms industry in Europe – he said.
– We reaffirm our allied commitments to each other and our transatlantic relationships with our United States partners. It is very important for us to coordinate activities that are not only intended to support Ukraine, support the development of the defense industry and Ukrainian-European relations, but are also intended to support our defense potential, said the head of the Ministry of National Defense.
He informed that the next meeting of the E5 group would be held in Paris and would be attended by, among others, the Secretary General NATOEU High Representative for Foreign Policy and EU Defense Commissioner.
Pistorius: Support for Ukraine's arms industry is a decisive factor
According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, “we don't have time to forget anything if we want security in Europe.” – Already after the second meeting, we can say that this circle (Group E5 – ed.) is characterized by the fact that without any introductory words we go straight to the topic – he said during the press conference.
As he said, at Monday's meeting, the ministers discussed support for the Ukrainian arms industry. The goal, as Pistorius said, is for Ukraine to “act from a position of strength” industrially. – In addition to material supplies, support for the Ukrainian arms industry is a decisive factor that we must adequately support by financing Ukrainian purchases – said the minister.
Main photo source: PAP/Leszek Szymański