EU - Foreign Affairs Council Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 1 December 2025 Main results

 EU - 

Foreign Affairs Council

Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 1 December 2025

Main results

EU military support for Ukraine

EU defence ministers discussed EU military support for Ukraine after an exchange with the Ukrainian Minister of Defence, Denys Shmyhal, and in the presence of NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Shekerinska.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council

This could be a pivotal week for diplomacy. Intense talks on ending Russia's war continue. Everyone welcomes the push for peace except Russia. […] In this war, there is one aggressor and one victim. Our job is to do all we can to support the victim and not reward the aggression. The goal is to have a just and durable peace.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council

Ministers discussed funding options for military support to Ukraine, enhancing defence-industrial cooperation and efforts to counter the Russian shadow fleet. The High Representative also updated the Council on ongoing work on EU’s contribution to security guarantees for Ukraine.

Concerning funding, EU defence ministers stressed that funding options need to be agreed on as a matter of urgency. The High Representative emphasised that a multi-year solution would be a game-changer for Ukraine's defence as it would mean means a faster end to Putin's war.

The Council also discussed the role that the two EU missions - EUMAM and EUAM Ukraine- could play in strengthening Ukraine.

On defence industrial cooperation with Ukraine, ministers discussed how to mobilise additional private financing, including through the European Investment Bank.

Europe and Ukraine must build together, produce together and innovate together. It is a win-win for both sides. Ukraine has the battlefield experience which we need for our defence industry. I'm glad that more member states are doing so.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council

EU military support for Ukraine (background information)

Russia's war against Ukraine (background information)

EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information)

Defence readiness

The Council discussed EU defence readiness, focusing on the implementation of the joint communication on “Preserving Peace - Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030” presented on 16 October 2025, and the following taskings of the October European Council meeting. Particular emphasis was placed on priority capability areas and concrete projects.

Everyone agreed that Europe must continue to boost its own defences. We do not have much time to act. […] Leaders have given a clear direction with the Defence Readiness Programme. Capability coalitions are being set up now. Some have already met on air defence and drones, for example. Others will follow soon. Concrete projects are expected in the first half of next year.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council

The Council also addressed the flagship initiatives to help coordinate investment in areas where no member state can do it alone.

Lastly, ministers discussed the military mobility package, which was presented by the High Representative and the European Commission in November 2025. In this context the High Representative stressed that the ability to move troops is paramount for deterrence, and that military mobility is a crucial insurance policy for European security, and as such needs to be speeded up.

Joint Communication “Preserving Peace - Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030” 

European defence readiness (background information)

European Council on defence and security, 23 October 2025

EU defence readiness roadmap (Commission) 

In the margins of the meeting

European Defence Agency Steering Board

EU ministers of defence met in the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board under the chairwomanship of High Representative Kallas in her capacity as Head of EDA.

In addition to EDA’s 2026 General Budget, staff establishment plan, and three-year planning framework, ministers provided guidance on how to strengthen EDA in line with the October 2025 European Council conclusions.

Ministers were also presented with a synthesis of mid- to long-term collaborative capability development project proposals.