With a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine still far off, the best way to guarantee Ukraine’s security, its supporters say, is to arm it to the teeth. To that end, on March 19th the European Commission outlined a two-part “porcupine strategy”. First, Europe would procure more weapons on Ukraine’s behalf, including crucial air-defence missiles. Second, it would boost Ukraine’s own defence industry, which it calls the most “cost-efficient way to support Ukraine’s military efforts”. The plan is the brainchild of Kaja Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister who is now the European Union’s top diplomat. She wants to double military aid to Ukraine this year, to €40bn ($44bn).