EU calls for closer defence ties with Ukraine

The EU should deepen its defence industry ties with Ukraine, a senior official from the bloc has said. Speaking to European politicians in Strasbourg, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius suggested Kyiv’s defence industry “needs us” but that “we need Ukraine’s defence innovations even more.” His comments came before an EU vote on a $1.7bn package, which includes $345m for the Ukraine Support Instrument.