Kubilius urges countries to protect EU defense budget ahead of leaders’ meeting

Andrius Kubilius, the European Defense Commissioner, has called on EU countries to maintain high defense spending in the bloc's future long-term budget, warning that delays could impede military progress. Speaking at POLITICO's European Resilience Summit, Kubilius emphasized the importance of supporting defense lines in the upcoming multi-annual financial framework, stating that this was crucial for building necessary defense systems and infrastructure in space.

The call for support comes as EU leaders prepare to meet to discuss the EU's budget for the period from 2028 to 2034. Recently, the Council of the EU, under Ireland's presidency, proposed reducing the Commission's original proposal by approximately 8% to accommodate a German-led push for significant cuts. These cuts primarily impact EU-wide priorities including competitiveness, defense, and foreign aid.

National delegations have also softened their stance on securing a budget deal by the end of the year. Kubilius stressed that EU funding is vital for encouraging member states to collaborate on joint procurement, development, and overall European progress. He lamented that defense spending is still predominantly national-focused and the defense industry remains fragmented.

Without the leverage to incentivize member states, Kubilius argued, the situation would remain suboptimal, hindering efforts to decouple European development in defense.