The European Union already considers Ukraine a de facto member state, building cooperation in line with this approach while simultaneously strengthening financial and defense support. Benedikta von Seherr-Thoß, Managing Director for Peace, Security and Defence at the European External Action Service (EEAS), made this statement during the 18th annual Kyiv Security Forum, which was held under the theme “Darkness or Dawn: Is Light Ahead?”

"We already consider Ukraine a de facto EU member state right now," she stressed.

She noted that the European Union plans to allocate EUR 90 billion to support Ukraine over the next two years. Of this amount, EUR 60 billion is earmarked for defense, and EUR 30 billion is earmarked for macro-financial assistance.

The representative of the European External Action Service emphasized that the EU has consistently supported Ukraine since the start of the war and will continue to do so. "We have stood with Ukraine since the start of the war and will continue to do so in the future," von Seherr-Thoß said.

She noted that this support is based on two key principles: helping Ukraine win the war and strengthening the long-term partnership.

"First, we want to help Ukraine win this war. Second, our goal is to strengthen our partnership and cooperation to maximize future benefits for Ukraine and the EU,” she explained.
According to her, Ukraine plays a central role in determining its own aid needs. "Ukraine determines its own needs, including what it wants to procure, from whom, and by when," the EEAS representative emphasized.

She stressed that one of the priorities is maximizing the involvement of the Ukrainian defense industry in procurement. "The goal is to procure as much as possible from Ukrainian industry because you are innovators and leaders in key sectors," von Seherr-Thoß noted.

She said that, at the same time, cooperation with European industry will be developed. This includes creating joint ventures and collaborations between companies.

Von Seherr-Thoß also emphasized the need to invest not only in current needs, but also in long-term security. "Even after the war ends, the threat won't disappear, so we must build a partnership that guarantees security today and in the future," she said.

She added that the EU is using additional financial instruments to expand production capacity, including funding new production lines in Ukraine and EU countries.

As the EEAS representative noted, supporting Ukraine is also a strategic investment in shared security. "Ukraine is a key partner today and will be a member of the European Union tomorrow," she concluded.

Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) is an annual international event launched in 2007 on the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation. This year it is held on April 23-24.