EU To Launch New Cooperation Programs With Ukraine's Defense Industry Von Der Leyen

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) She made the remarks during her State of the Union address to the European Parliament, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"First, that we will give our strongest-ever support to Ukraine over the toughest winter of the war. Together with our partners, we will provide humanitarian aid and reinforce Ukraine's supplies of power and heating," von der Leyen said.

She noted that, as part of efforts to strengthen Ukraine's air defense, the EU last week agreed for the first time to purchase U.S.-made Patriot missiles, which "need to be delivered urgently."

"But we must also jointly reduce our dependence on a single supplier. That is why we would like to develop with Ukraine an affordable, modular missile-defense system. At the heart of this collaboration is the Freyja project. Here we are combining the Ukrainians' combat experience and innovativeness with Europe's technological leadership. And, of course, our substantial production capacity. But Freyja is only the beginning. More is needed," von der Leyen said.

Read also: Ukraine to remain key focus for European Parliament – MEP

She explained that, using funds remaining from the SAFE program, the EU would launch a new program of joint projects with Ukrainian companies.

Von der Leyen also pledged to strengthen European sanctions against Russia.

"Further pressure must be applied to Russia. What is needed is not necessarily new sanctions, but above all the enforcement of existing sanctions. Our sanctions are hurting. They are putting enormous pressure on the Russian economy. Russia is doing everything it can to get round them. So we must close any loopholes," von der Leyen added.

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