How can Ukraine become part of Europe’s strategic interest? Key takeaways from Kyiv Cafe in Berlin

Europe is not only willing to support Ukraine but also to invest in joint projects. For this to happen, Ukraine’s requests must be clear, well-founded, and aligned with Europe’s strategic security interests. This was one of the key takeaways from the third Cafe Kyiv in Berlin, where the Ukraine Facility Platform team worked on March 11.

Discussions – both on the main stages and behind the scenes – focused on the architecture of Ukraine’s future support.

What were the key challenges discussed?

• Europe’s priorities are shifting. The EU is now concentrating its efforts on strengthening its own defense capabilities, implementing the ambitious ReArm Europe plan, valued at nearly €800 billion. In this context, Ukraine is seen primarily as a recipient of military aid rather than an integral part of Europe’s defense ecosystem.
• EU is committed to supporting Ukraine – even if the U.S. does not. However, this does not mean they will fully compensate for what the U.S. has provided in military, financial, or humanitarian assistance.
• Europe lacks constructive engagement with Ukrainian civil society and businesses. So far, they have not proposed projects that align with both Ukraine’s and the EU’s shared interests.

How can Ukraine “flip the table” and become part of Europe’s strategic interest?

• Ukraine must engage with European partners by clearly explaining its capabilities and advantages. In the defense sector, this includes fewer regulatory restrictions and the ability to rapidly scale up defense production at relatively low costs.
• Ukraine must integrate into Europe’s supply chains for weapons, military equipment, components, and materials – replacing imports from non-European countries. This will open the door to European defense contracts.
• Ukraine can help Europe understand how to effectively use modern weaponry and technological solutions in real combat conditions.

The Ukraine Facility Platform is already developing the Collaborative Effort Toolkit – a structured framework for effective government-business partnerships in the defense sector. This tool will help launch pilot projects that can be scaled up both in Ukraine and across the EU. Private businesses are potential drivers of the necessary changes in national regulations and establishment of new interaction models with stakeholders and international banks.