The European Commission proposes allocating €1 billion from frozen Russian assets to support the development of Ukraine's defense industry.

The European Commission has proposed allocating 1 billion euros from frozen Russian assets to directly support the Ukrainian defense industry.

This was reported by Ukrinform, citing European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders.

The European Union plans to soon release a second tranche of aid to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets amounting to 1.5 billion euros. The first tranche of the same amount was directed through the European Peace Facility for the procurement of necessary weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including ammunition and air defense systems.

However, the European Commission suggests that 1 billion euros from the next tranche be allocated directly to the development of the Ukrainian defense industry. He added that the level of EU assistance to Ukraine is still insufficient, as Russia has "put its entire economy on a military footing."

"The EU will continue to work with member states to provide all necessary political, military, and financial support that Ukraine needs to achieve victory... At the same time, we must also fight against impunity, ensuring that Russia pays full compensation for the damages caused by its aggression against Ukraine," Reynders commented.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that the Ministry of Defense is accused of purchasing substandard domestic 120-mm mines. The agency assures that it is investigating the incidents and will replace the Ukrainian shells with foreign ones.