Latest news with #Kubilius
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Russia is not winning this war,' EU defense commissioner says
Russia is not winning the war in Ukraine, European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said in an interview with LRT broadcaster published on May 26, stressing Europe must stop relying on the United States to ensure that remains the case. In the interview, Kubilius said the EU must be ready to defend Ukraine and itself with or without Washington's backing. While U.S. support has been vital, Kubilius said that the EU's long-term security depends on its own strategic and industrial strength, especially as U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled he may walk away from peace efforts unless progress is made. "450 million Europeans should not be begging 340 million Americans to protect Europe from 140 million Russians who cannot take on 38 million Ukrainians," Kubilius said. Kubilius said Europe has matched the U.S. in aid to Ukraine — around 60 billion euros ($68 billion) over the last three years, including the U.K. and Norway — yet still hesitates to take full ownership of the war's outcome. Recent findings from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy also reported that total assistance — military and civilian — allocated by Europe to Ukraine since 2022 actually exceeds that of the U.S. by 23 billion euros ($26 billion). "The annual support is about 20 billion euros ($23 billion) each. Twenty billion on the European side and 20 billion on the American side is less than 0.1% of GDP for both," Kubilius noted. "We are spending 3% or 3.5% on our own defense, and we are spending less than 0.1% on the defense of Ukraine." Europe must prepare for a world in which U.S. involvement in its defense wanes, Kubilius argued. While he emphasized the importance of avoiding a "chaotic divorce" with Washington, he said the EU must develop a clear and independent defense policy. "It is far worse to be unprepared or to go into an angry and chaotic divorce with the Americans," he said. "It is better for us to come up with a clear plan of what we want from the Americans over the next decade, avoid chaos, than to be constantly begging them to stay and be completely unprepared and then face a full-scale crisis.' Kubilius said this included developing the EU's own defense industry. "Up to now, when Europeans were buying weapons, only 20% of their purchases were coming from European industry, while over 65% were coming from the U.S.," Kubilius noted. Asked whether the EU has a plan if the U.S. withdraws support for Ukraine, Kubilius said Europe is not helpless. According to him, a 150-billion-euro ($170 billion) EU loan facility could provide new channels to strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities and defense sector — if member states are willing to act. "Yes, Ukraine needs support. Yes, that support can come from the European Union together with America. Without America, too, we need to think about how we are going to do it," he said. "There is no other way." As ceasefire talks stall and U.S. diplomatic efforts show little progress — including Trump's recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which yielded no commitment to a truce — Ukraine has renewed its calls for more European aid, particularly in air defense. Read also: Russia can attack Europe 2-4 years after war's end, faster with lifted sanctions, Ukrainian intel chief warns We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Euronews
13-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Albania and Montenegro could join the EU before others, Costa says
An EU-Ukraine Task Force to boost defence industries' ties is meeting for the first time on Monday with Brussels keen to replicate Kyiv's innovation and production prowesses since the beginning of Russia's aggression. "Today, we announce the creation of the inter-institutional EU-Ukraine Task Force. And today Ukrainian and European experts of that group will convene for the very first meeting to assist integration of our defence industries, to facilitate development of joint projects or joint procurement processes," Andrius Kubilius, the European commissioner for defence and space, told the second edition of the EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum. Supply chain issues and capability areas identified as priorities including explosives and drones are of particular interest for the group. "We need to learn from Ukraine how to create a drone production and operation infrastructure," Kubilius said, adding that when it comes to drones "who needs integration more: Ukraine or Europe? My answer - Europe". According to the Ukrainian government, the country's annual defence production capacity is expected to reach €35 billion this year, a 35-fold increase from 2022 when Russia launched its unprovoked full-scale attack against its neighbour. Europe's industry, meanwhile, initially struggled to ramp up, infamously missing a target to produce one million ammunition rounds within 12 months. It's now on course to produce two million rounds this year. Ukraine's defence companies are not only battle-tested, but also "fast", " modern", and able to produce at "half the price" compared to their European counterparts, Kubilius said. "There is a need for Europeans not only to buy weapons from Ukraine and for Ukraine. There is a clear need for Europeans to buy technologies, know-how of production and of management systems from Ukraine for our own European defence industries," he also said. Alexander Kamyshin, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told the same forum that the conflict will go down in history "as the first world drone war". Ukraine, he added, has had "substantial success in manufacturing all types of unmanned systems" and now has "a solution for AI-driven auto-targeting for aerial strike drones". "The next big thing is the swarms of drones, coordinated attack capability." "We are ready to share what our industry learnt in this war with you, our strategic partners," he said, adding: "We're here to build the arsenal of the free world together." The EU is planning to pour hundreds of billions of euros into the defence sector over the coming four years, including up to €650 billion through additional fiscal space and €150 billion via a new loan programme, called SAFE, aimed at boosting joint procurement of European-made capabilities, and from which Ukraine and its companies can benefit too. Member states are currently negotiating the parameters of SAFE and are expected to conclude talks before the end of the month. It will then take over six months for the first disbursements to come through. The Commission is meanwhile holding a Strategic Dialogue with the EU-based industry this week, followed by an Implementation Dialogue towards the end of May and a simplification omnibus for the sector in mid-June. An Industry Outlook plan, based on national capability targets provided by member states, is meanwhile expected to be released in late June, when EU leaders are also set to approve common European flagship projects in defence. "Peace through strength will come from production power and brain power. To stop Putin, we need to produce more, we need to innovate more, and we need to do that together: in the EU and with Ukraine," Kubilius said. President of the European Council António Costa has sought to reassure EU candidate countries in the Western Balkans by saying that the continent's future stability and prosperity depends on the enlargement of the bloc. Speaking ahead of a tour of the region, Costa promised them that the EU was dedicated to relaunching the accession process, which has stalled of late, in part due to the hesitation of member states. In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Costa also urged candidate countries to commit to reforms. At the heart of his mission to the Western Balkans is the need for Brussels not to lose strategic control over a key region. "Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sped up the accession process for Ukraine and Moldova, so it is not fair to the countries of the Western Balkans to be overtaken by Ukraine and Moldova, and this will push them to move faster with reforms," he told Euronews on the eve of his diplomatic tour of the six Western Balkan countries. The European Council president's first stop will be Serbia, a country that has been mired in political crisis for several months. The same day, Costa will also visit Bosnia-Herzegovina, before meeting both Montenegro and Kosovo's heads of state and government on Wednesday. The following day he will visit Northern Macedonia. His final stop will then be Albania, where he will take part in the European Political Community (EPC) summit on Friday in Tirana. The EPC is an intergovernmental political strategy forum bringing together over forty European countries, which was created in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. EU expansion in the Western Balkans will be high on the agenda at summit because of the growing instability in the region. The leaders of EU member states fear that outside powers are establishing their foothold in a region that is an integral part of Europe. "On the European Council side, there is a broad political consensus that enlargement is the most important geopolitical investment that can be made for the stability, peace and prosperity of the whole of Europe, including the countries of the Western Balkans," said Costa. The president of the European Council noted that "the countries of the EU and the Western Balkans share a common vision, since they belong to the European family". "This is why we need to work so that they can formally join this family, within the European Union," he added. The Serbian political crisis is a source of concern for both the EU and NATO. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was the only leader from an EU candidate country to take part in the Second World War commemorations in Moscow on 9 May. The only member state leader present was Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Vučić and Fico thus broke the boycott of the celebrations imposed against the Kremlin by Western countries. Similarly, Serbia never joined the sanctions against Russia imposed by the EU following the invasion of Ukraine. For many Serbs, their country, which was at the time part of Yugoslavia, is indebted to the Soviet Union for having been liberated by the Red Army in 1945. Vučić's presence at the Moscow celebrations was not necessarily a sign of his support for the Kremlin's cause in its war in Ukraine. President Vučić's government has been rocked by months of demonstrations in Belgrade and other cities across the country. Protesters accuse his regime of corruption and of restricting political and media freedoms. Last week, the European Parliament pleaded the cause of the student demonstrators in Serbia. In Strasbourg, EU politicians approved by a large majority a non-binding report on Serbia drafted by Croatian Socialist Tonino Picula. For the MEPs, despite some economic progress, Belgrade is still lacking in terms of internal political dialogue, the rule of law and the fight against corruption. During a working meeting with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen last month, Vučić "was very clear on the formation of a new government and on the approval of three essential reforms: the electoral law, freedom of the press and the fight against corruption", said Costa. The European Council president stressed that "enlargement is first and foremost a process of internal reform". Commenting on Vučić's presence in Moscow and the political tensions in Serbia, Costa said one of the conditions for accession was common foreign policy between the EU and prospective member states. However, he added: "On 9 May in Moscow, we celebrated an event of the past. Serbia's future lies in Europe." European institutions have often indicated 2030 as the target date for the first accessions to the EU, notably those of Albania, Montenegro and Serbia. However, Brussels is now only talking about Albania and Montenegro. "I don't have a fixed date. Why 2030? And why not before? Accession is a process based on merit. If the countries carry out the reforms, they could even join before 2030," said Costa. "But it is precisely the merits that can change. Albania and Montenegro are clearly more advanced than the other countries." Nevertheless, Russia's war in Ukraine has led to a resurgence of tensions in the Western Balkans, particularly in relation to the tensions in Bosnia and between Serbia and Kosovo. "I know of no better incentive to overcome the conflicts that are still open than this perhaps unique opportunity, which is membership of the European Union. It is the best condition to offer the countries of the Western Balkans, an opportunity for prosperity that they would be hard pressed to find elsewhere," Costa said. According to numerous opinion polls, a majority of Serbs have lost interest in the EU because of the bloc's hesitation over expansion. "The most important thing is to understand the meaning of the European Union. Last week, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Schumann Declaration, the first step towards today's Union," Costa noted. "What really built the EU was the will to overcome the wounds of history," he concluded. The Irish Taoiseach told Euronews reporter Shona Murray that the European Union should pursue all instruments it has to stop what he says is an "unreasonable exploitation" of the veto mechanism. He argued that, if continued, this will make the EU unworkable. He added that Ukraine must join the EU for geopolitical reasons. However, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said last week that there can be no Ukrainian EU accession without Hungary. Orbán has cited concerns that Ukraine's accession could bankrupt the EU. However, Martin called Budapest's efforts to block this process "outrageous". We also look at strategic talks between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and defence industry CEOs in Brussels today as the EU is looking to boost weapons production. Finally, after decades of rapid development in digital literacy, the pace in Europe has slowed dramatically. Where is this situation most problematic? This episode of Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Lauren Walker with journalist Maïa de la Baume. Audio editing by Johan Breton. Music by Alexandre Jas.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Some ReArm Europe funds to be funneled to Ukraine's defense, EU official says
A portion of the 800 billion euros (approximately $888 billion) for the ReArm Europe program will be used to provide military support to Ukraine, EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said in an interview with European Pravda published May 12. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on March 4 presented the ReArm Europe plan, a five-point initiative to strengthen the continent's defense capabilities in the face of escalating Russian aggression and shifting U.S. policy on transatlantic relations. The plan involves a projected 650 billion euros ($684 billion) in increased defense spending and 150 billion euros ($158 billion) in loans for defense investments. Member states can use these funds to provide Ukraine with weapons and invest in the country's defense industry, Kubilius European Pravda. "Only member states can take out loans within the 150 billion euros instrument, but they can use these funds for joint procurement with Ukraine, in particular procurement in the Ukrainian defense industry for the needs of the Armed Forces," he said. National defense funds can also be used to buy weapons for Ukraine, Kubilius said. "And of those 650 billion that are intended for national defense spending, part can also be spent on weapons for Ukraine," he said. "This will be a decision of the member states." Officials have warned that Europe faces critical arms shortages, pointing out that Russia's military expenditures in 2024 surpassed Europe's spending by approximately $5 billion. At a meeting of European foreign ministers and the EU High Representative in London on May 12, representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom pledged to "play a still greater role in assuring our own security." "We will use all feasible levers to strengthen our collective defense capability and production and reinforce Europe's technological and industrial base," the ministers wrote in a joint statement. The officials also promised to ramp up military support for Ukraine. Read also: Didn't Zelensky impose a ban on talks with Putin? Not really We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU commissioner considers war between Russia and EU a "very realistic scenario"
EU Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius shares the assessment of Western intelligence services that a Russian attack on European Union states could happen within the next few years. Source: Kubilius in an interview with European Pravda Details: Kubilius said that the intelligence services of Germany, Denmark and other countries believe that Russia will have the capacity to attack the EU by 2030 or "even earlier, during the next three years". He pointed out that Russia has already shifted its economy onto a war footing and is incapable of returning it to its previous state. "If a peace or a ceasefire is established in Ukraine, they will continue producing and stockpiling such an amount of weapons, which would eventually allow them to start a new aggression," the commissioner stated. Kubilius stressed that the EU fully supports establishing peace in Ukraine, but "that peace will not mean that Russia stops preparing for next aggressions – will it be against Ukraine again, or this time against EU or NATO member states". "We consider it [a new war – ed.] a very realistic scenario. And the only way to deter Russian attack is to increase our preparedness for it," he concluded. Background: Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the country's armed forces estimate that Russia views the West as a systemic enemy and is preparing for a large-scale confrontation with NATO. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Part of €800bn EU rearmament plan to be spent on procurement for Ukraine's forces
European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius has confirmed that under the €800 billion ReArm Europe Plan, part of the funds will be directed towards military support for Ukraine. Source: Kubilius in an interview with European Pravda Details: Kubilius explained that the ReArm Europe Plan consists of two major components: €650 billion in projected increases in defence spending by EU member states and €150 billion in loans allocated for defence procurement. Quote from Kubilius: "€150 billion is loans, which member states only can take, but they can use those loans for joint procurement with Ukraine. Even procuring from the Ukrainian industry for Ukrainian needs." Kubilius stressed that for the first time, Ukraine's industry "is treated equally with European defence industries". Quote from Kubilius: "And from those €650 billion for national defence spending, part of this money can also be spent on more weapons for Ukraine. It's up to the member states." Background: During the emergency EU defence summit on 6 March, all EU leaders, including Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, unanimously approved the ReArm Europe Plan. Kubilius outlined the priorities of the EU's defence policy, including investing in its own defence capabilities and reducing dependence on the United States. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
