Andrius Kubilius, former Lithuanian prime minister, faced tough questions during his confirmation hearing as the EU’s first defense and space commissioner, emphasizing the urgency of Europe’s defense preparedness. A recent war game revealed Lithuania could fall to Russian forces in days, prompting discussions about doubling defense spending to 6% of GDP. Kubilius stressed the EU’s need for collaborative defense efforts, including a €500 billion defense allocation in its next budget, while ensuring alignment with NATO. However, he avoided committing to specific funding mechanisms, such as repurposing cohesion funds or issuing joint EU bonds, leaving the challenge to “experts” and political will. With rising concerns about Russia’s aggression, Kubilius’ role may prove pivotal in turning EU defense plans into action before it’s too late.
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