Ukraine is our 'number one priority' - top EU military chief tells Euronews

Published on 19/05/2026 - 9:32 GMT+2

EU defence chiefs are gathering successful Brussels this week to people 25 years since the instauration of the EU Military Committee, primitively established successful effect to the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s. But amid the anniversary, the temper has been overshadowed by the ongoing warfare successful Ukraine and rising instability successful the Middle East.

Speaking to Euronews' flagship greeting amusement Europe Today, the Chair of the EU Military Committee, General Seán Clancy, described the infinitesimal arsenic “a clip for reflection much than celebration,” alluding to the accelerated improvement of Europe’s information and defence strategy successful caller years.

Clancy said Ukraine remains the EU’s “number 1 priority,” arsenic European defence chiefs conscionable to sermon information readiness, subject strategy and continued enactment for Kyiv. His comments travel arsenic Russia launched different question of attacks connected Ukraine overnight, reportedly involving hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles.

“The bonzer resilience of the Ukrainian equipped forces and the Ukrainian radical has transformed Ukraine into a fortress nation,” Clancy said, arguing that Ukraine’s information is present “integral to the aboriginal information of Europe.”

While dismissing the thought that the EU should go a “military powerhouse” comparable to NATO, Clancy stressed that the national plays a important relation done its economical strength, defence coordination and overseas missions. The wide highlighted however the EU Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine has trained much than 93,000 Ukrainian soldiers to date.

“We volition proceed unrelentingly,” helium said, adding that each 27 subordinate states stay committed to helping signifier the aboriginal of Ukraine’s equipped forces.

Watch the afloat interrogation successful the subordinate above.