EU, NATO discuss boosting Europe's defense production

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Alexus Grynkewich held talks Wednesday in Brussels on strengthening Europe's defense capabilities amid the war in Ukraine.

"As war in Ukraine continues and Russian defense industry produces at scale, Europe must do more to boost investment, ramp up production capacity and increase speed," von der Leyen wrote on US social media platform X after the meeting.

She stressed the importance of developing an innovative defense industry capable of producing advanced high-end systems and more cost-effective technologies, noting that Europe could benefit from Ukraine's battlefield experience and expertise.

"In an increasingly complex security environment, a strong relationship between the EU and NATO is central to European security," she said.

In parallel statements, NATO’s Allied Command Operations at SHAPE wrote on X that the meeting aimed at deepening cooperation in areas of shared interest.

"With security threats rising and Russia’s economy on a wartime footing, it’s necessary to harness @NATO and EU collective power, and to accelerate investment and defence production to meet NATO’s capability targets as Europe continues to take more responsibility for its security," said SHAPE.