In May–June 2025, the European Government Relations landscape sent a clear signal: defense companies have become some of the most active players in the EU’s lobbying arena.
According to Transparency International EU, the past year saw 197 official meetings between representatives of the defense industry and Members of the European Parliament. That’s nearly three times more than during the entire previous five-year period combined. These companies have been lobbying for increased defense funding, streamlined procurement procedures, revisions to export control rules, and improved access to EU defense cooperation mechanisms.
Why this matters:
- GR activity is no longer limited to economic or regulatory matters — it is becoming a core tool in fields related to national security and public interest.
- Competition in the lobbying environment is intensifying — expectations for ethical conduct, transparency, and strategic positioning are higher than ever.
- This is a signal for Ukraine: companies operating in defense, innovation, security, or infrastructure must begin building structured GR strategies now.
Engagement with European lawmakers is no longer an exception — it is the norm for those who aim to shape regulatory frameworks rather than simply respond to them.
GR Consulting continuously monitors international trends and helps Ukrainian companies develop effective GR strategies — both domestically and abroad.
🔗 Source: Transparency International EU, June 2025 report
📅 Recommended publication date: May 2025
