Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 12 May 2026
Main Results
The Foreign Affairs Council with defence ministers took place in Brussels and was chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
Updated threat analysis
At the beginning of their meeting, EU defence ministers received a presentation on the outcomes of the updated comprehensive EU Threat Analysis.
EU support to Ukraine
Over a working lunch, the Council discussed EU military support to Ukraine, against the background of the latest developments on the ground and ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a just and lasting peace backed by robust security guarantees.
EU ministers were joined for an informal exchange by the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov via VTC, and the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Shekerinska, in person.
The Ukrainian defence minister presented the most urgent battlefield needs and perspectives on advancing cooperation and integrating Ukrainian companies into the European defence technological and industrial base.
“Ukraine's experience shows how quickly modern warfare evolves and also the lessons learned must shape our policy decisions. Defence innovation has to become a political priority.”
— Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council
The ensuing ministerial discussion focused on EU-Ukraine defence-industrial cooperation, including a state of play on the implementation of the defence component of the Ukraine Support Loan, the European Peace Facility (EPF), and other EU instruments.
The High Representative stressed that the EU is delivering on military support for Ukraine, that will receive the first disbursement of the €90 billion loan in June, but also emphasised the importance of continued bilateral support to meet Ukraine’s needs. Furthermore, she announced that EU defence ministers supported the need to find solutions to mobilise EPF funds, and concrete proposals will be tabled on this matter.
The High Representative provided an update on EU’s contribution to security guarantees, including through strengthening the EU Satellite Centre and the so-called “fourth pillar” of actions to support countering hybrid threats, the defence sector reform and veteran reintegration, which was presented to EU foreign ministers at the April FAC in Luxembourg.
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