Lithuania backs EU plan for $43.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Reuters reports
Lithuania ranks among Europe's top defense spenders, allocating 2.85% of its GDP to defense in 2024, according to NATO estimates.
Defense
How Ukraine’s defense tech is shaping the future of warfare
Geopolitical events over the past three years have forced a rethinking of the global security framework. Ukraine’s battlefield has evolved into an innovation lab for modern defense technologies — transforming not only how wars are fought but also how peace is secured. Drawing insights from the recent Brave1 Defense Tech
5 steps for securing an eastward enlargement of the European Union
Russia’s war against Ukraine is not only about Ukraine’s freedom and survival, but also about the future of Europe’s hard security. Russia wants to replace the cooperative, democratic security order in Europe, the principles of which were outlined 50 years ago in the Helsinki Final Act, with
'Best security guarantee is the Ukrainian army' — EU leaders dodge specifics on long-term peace plan
"The best security guarantee are the Ukrainians themselves," European Council President Antonio Costa said at the end of a special EU summit in Brussels.
Eutelsat in talks to expand satellite services for Ukraine amid Starlink uncertainty, FT reports
Shares in Eutelsat surged as much as 123% to 4.50 euro before settling at a 70% gain, driven by investor confidence that European leaders will increase military support for Ukraine.
Ursula von der Leyen announces ReArm Europe plan to boost European defense capabilities
"This is a moment for Europe and we are ready to step up," Ursula von der Leyen said.
Rutte announces NATO allies will provide Ukraine with billions more in aid
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has announced that alliance members are ramping up their defense investments and preparing additional financial support for Ukraine.
UK to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, Starmer says
It is the largest sustained increase in British defense spending since the end of the Cold War.
‘We cannot survive’ without foreign weapons, say Ukrainian soldiers fearing looming Trump cuts
A looming dropoff in U.S. weapons deliveries is threatening to strain Ukraine’s budding domestic arms production to the breaking point. As U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration prepares negotiations with their Russian counterparts, Ukrainians fear being cut out of negotiations — and cut off from future U.S.
Raise defense spending or start learning Russian, NATO chief tells Europe
"Everything I'm seeing at this moment is not nearly enough, and if we don't do it (raise the spending targets) we are safe now but not in four or five years. So if you don't do it, get out your Russian language courses or go to New Zealand," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
Trump calls on NATO to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Jan. 7 that NATO should raise its defense spending benchmark from 2% of GDP to 5%, echoing his earlier calls for Europe to spend more on its security.
Ukraine's largest steelmaker launches production of Patriot system armor
"In a month and a half, we created a project from scratch and made a shield from Metinvest's Ukrainian armor steel for the Patriot air defense system crew, which guarantees protection against debris damage to both the defenders and the air defense control center," said Oleksandr Myronenko, a COO of Metinvest Group.
Norway to relocate Ukrainian F-16 pilot training base to Portugal, Norwegian defense minister says
Norway will continue training Ukrainian F-16 pilots as part of its support for Ukraine’s defense and will relocate its training base from Denmark to Portugal, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram announced in a Dec. 13 press release.
NATO members mull raising defense spending benchmark to 3% GDP, FT reports
European NATO foreign ministers began discussing a plan to gradually increase the alliance’s defense spending target from 2% of their GDP to 3% by 2030, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 12, citing undisclosed sources.
Ukraine's tax hike, G7 loan enough for planned defense expenses in 2025, Finance Ministry says
For the next year, Ukraine allocated 26.3% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense and security expenditures, including Hr 740 billion ($17.7 billion) for arms purchases and Hr 50 billion ($1.2 billion) on the production and purchase of drones.
Opinion: Europe’s 2% defense benchmark is an illusion, not a solution
With Donald Trump back in office, Europe faces a new era of uncertainty. The once-reliable comfort of American support — a cornerstone of European security — is now more in question than ever. For decades, Europe has assumed the U.S. would always be there to pick up the slack. But those
Opinion: Trump could actually be good for Europe
Before the U.S. presidential election, it seemed like no one but Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters believed he could win. After all, the man is a convicted felon, a putschist-provocateur, an agent of chaos, and a walking scandal who has been disowned by almost all his former advisors, some
Trump stuns officials after naming Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
President-elect Donald Trump has named Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth as the incoming U.S. Defense Secretary, Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Nov. 12. If confirmed by Congress, Hegseth will replace current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin following Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. "Pete
Ukraine’s 2025 budget clears first reading, allocates $53 billion for defense
“The priority of next year's budget will also be security and defense. All taxes paid by people and businesses will go toward strengthening our defenders and military capabilities,” Prime Minister Denys Smyhal said on his Telegram channel.
Ukraine, India discuss strengthening defense industry cooperation
Ukraine's Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin met with India's Ambassador to Ukraine Ravi Shankar on Oct. 26 to discuss strengthening defense industry cooperation between Kyiv and New Delhi, the Strategic Industries Ministry announced.
'Moscow is desperate' — Expert on North Korean troops in Russia
The Kyiv Independent spoke with former U.K. Defense Attaché in Moscow, John Foreman CBE, about what this development might mean for the future of Russia's war and the global landscape.
Russia's Black Sea Fleet forced to redeploy over Ukrainian drone attacks, Russian proxy admits
"It (Black Sea Fleet) was forced to change, in fact, its registration because our large ships became large targets for the enemy's unmanned boats," Dmitry Rogozin, a Russian official heading the Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, said.
Media: Biden to visit Germany on Oct. 18, Ramstein summit remains postponed
Biden was supposed to convene a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany on Oct. 12, where President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected to present his victory plan. However, he put off his visit in order to oversee the emergency response to Hurricane Milton.
Ukraine state-owned enterprises weekly — Issue 150
Editor’s Note: This is issue 150 of Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprises Weekly, covering events from Sept. 29 – Oct. 5, 2024. The Kyiv Independent is reposting it with permission. Corporate governance of SOEs Cabinet completes the composition of UDI’s supervisory board. On Oct. 4, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed Timur
NATO to expand military forces and air defense due to increased threats, Die Welt reports
NATO has been advised to significantly bolster its defense capabilities, as outlined in a report by German media channel Welt.
Estonia's planned 'war tax' unprecedented, defense minister says
Speaking at a panel discussion at the Warsaw Security Forum attended by the Kyiv Independent, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur explained that "everybody in the society will contribute a bit more."
Russia plans more than 25% increase of funding for Putin, presidential administration
Expenses for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the presidential administration will increase to 30.9 billion rubles ($332 million) in 2025. The bulk of the expenses — 21 billion rubles ($235 million) are earmarked for an increase in salaries for the president and his staff.
Zelensky praises new Ukrainian-made Palianytsia missiles
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine's new military advancements, particularly the Palianytsia missile, are a critical way for the country to act amid delays in decision-making by some of its international partners.
Ukraine state-owned enterprises weekly — Issue 141
Editor’s Note: This is issue 141 of Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprises Weekly, covering events from July 14-20, 2024. The Kyiv Independent is reposting it with permission. Corporate governance of SOEs PrivatBank appoints a new CFO. On July 15, PrivatBank reported that Larysa Chernyshova will serve in this role starting Sept.
Germany seeks to increase defense spending over threat of Russian aggression, defense minister says
The agreed budget will see an increase in defense spending by 1.2 billion euros (nearly $1.4 billion), while German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius requested a 6.7 billion euros (nearly $7.3 billion) increase, according to Tagesspiegel.
Ukraine Business Roundup — Will Ukraine reach a deal on its debt?
The following is the July 16, 2024 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. This version is condensed as the author was out of the office. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. With Ukraine desperately seeking cash to
Canada to increase defense spending, hit 2% of GDP by 2032
"As threats to peace and security become increasingly complex, Canada and our government stand ready to step up," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
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