Europe must therefore support Ukraine consistently and unwaveringly, while also increasing its own defense capability. Both individual member states and the European Commission have come to understand the need to strengthen their defense capabilities. But the fact remains that ever faster action is needed. For individual member states, building it alone would be difficult if not impossible. This means support would be needed sooner than allowed by the EU's next seven-year budget framework, which does not begin until January 1, 2028.