“After a few days spent in Brussels and Hague, I very clearly felt the shift that happened in the minds of European countries about us. Ukraine is no longer perceived as a victim of aggression that only needs help.”, – WRITE: www.pravda.com.ua
Ukraine is no longer perceived as a victim of aggression that only needs help. Now they see us, and they say it aloud as a safety manufacturer. As a country that not only reflects Russian aggression, but sets new standards of war.
It is not an emotional impression, but a new technological and most importantly – political reality.
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Military, diplomats, representatives of the EU defense industry are increasingly talking about joint developments, exchanging experience, the opportunity and the need to study in Ukraine.
This change was very clearly made in the words of Benedict Franke, executive director of the Munich Security Conference, interview with which you can read on “Ukrainian Truth”: “Ukraine is no longer consumer. She is her manufacturer.”
Because we create a solution. We test new equipment every day. We learn faster because we have no other choice. And we already have experiences that other NATO countries are just beginning to study.
That is why the joint production of weapons with Ukraine is not a gesture of support. This is the most pregmatic step that Europe can take today.
The European Commissioner for Defense Andrew Kubilus said it very honestly during our communication: “This military cooperation is more important today for the EU than for Ukraine.” Because Ukraine is already living in the war. And Europe was just beginning to understand that one day she could knock on their door.
This is not an exaggeration. Ukraine today is the most experienced Army of Europe in the use of new technologies, in flexibility, in adaptation.
And all this is imposed on a major change in the NATO security system itself.
At this year’s summit of the Alliance, the Allies officially recorded:
🔹 5% of GDP for defense and security by 2035 for all countries without exception;
🔹 Russia is called a long -term strategic threat to the entire transatlantic space, including the United States.
🔹 Investments should be directed not only to tanks and missiles, but to a full range of defensive capacity: from technology and production to logistics, cyberspace.
This means that from now on the Russian threat has ceased to be considered as a “Ukrainian problem”. It was recorded as common. And this is the key fracture.
Therefore, the production of weapons with Ukraine today is a joint defense policy that responds to a real call.
As Franke said accurately: “The economy of Europe is 25 times greater than Russia’s economy. Maybe we will stop exaggerating Russia’s power?”
But with these new opportunities, we also have new challenges. We have a real chance but also a high responsibility.
We paid for the opportunity to become an exporter of military technologies too high – thousands of lives, burned and occupied cities. But this is what gave us a unique advantage. And now the main thing is not to waste it.
In order for us to really become safety manufacturers on the European continent, open competition of ideas.
It should be not a fight for contracts, but for efficiency. Manufacturers should compete with each other – who learns faster, who is better adapting the decision, who is more honestly building partnership with the state. Of course, integrity, lack of corruption are very important. This is what will open the export doors before Ukraine. And it is competition that can create a real breakthrough.
We have to do our best to bite a place in a new continent’s security architecture that has been deserved like no other.
Now it is very important not to waste this chance. And it depends on ourselves.
Sevgil Musayeva
Source
A column is a material that reflects the author’s point of view. The text of the column does not claim the objectivity and comprehensive coverage of the topic that rises in it. The editorial board of “Ukrainian Truth” is not responsible for the accuracy and interpretation of the information provided and plays only the role of the carrier. The point of view of the UP editorial board may not coincide with the point of view of the author of the column.