EU commissioner calls for creation of European Defense Union

Europe must sharply increase arms production and consider creating a European Defense Union to strengthen its role in collective defense amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.

Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense and Space, made the statement at a session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Vilnius, Report's European bureau informs.

According to him, Russia still significantly outpaces the European Union (EU) in terms of military production volumes, creating risks for Europe.

The commissioner stressed that Ukraine has increased its defense production fiftyfold since 2022, bringing it to 50 billion euros. He said the country's defense industry has strong competition, market rules and dynamic innovation.

At the same time, EU governments support their national industries by purchasing 70-80% of the products of leading defense enterprises, while 80% of defense procurement is carried out without open tenders.

According to him, this means there is no single defense market in the EU, while opportunities and competition for small businesses and start-ups are limited.

Kubilius called for discussions to begin on creating a European Defense Union, which could strengthen NATO's European component and bring European countries closer together on security issues.

He also noted that as long as the issue of Ukraine's NATO membership remains open, Ukraine should be part of the future European security architecture, including possible participation in the European Defense Union.