Ukraine’s defence capabilities must be integrated into Europe’s security system as soon as possible, Kubilius says

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius emphasized during the Future of Civil Security conference that Ukraine's defense capabilities must be swiftly integrated into Europe's security framework. He stated that Europeans must prioritize the integration of Ukrainian combat capabilities with European defenses, as there is no time to waste.

Kubilius highlighted Ukraine's unique experience in protecting civilians during wartime, noting that European countries lack this knowledge. The daily air raid alerts, missile, and drone attacks in Ukraine have provided practical insights that can aid European societies in preparing for potential crises. Kubilius stressed that Germany is already leveraging Ukraine's experience in civil protection, digitalization, crisis management, and countering drones and cyberattacks.

He stressed that the protection of energy networks, railways, and industrial facilities is equally crucial as securing national borders. Kubilius called on various stakeholders, including civilian authorities, armed forces, and infrastructure operators, to collaborate in preparing for emergencies and ensure public resilience for at least 72 hours in crisis situations.

He also emphasized the importance of strengthening Europe's defense industry, reducing bureaucratic barriers to troop and military equipment movement, and overcoming fragmentation within the EU defense market. Kubilius urged Europe to operate as a unified defense system rather than a collection of individual national systems, stating that increased defense production and investment in security would help deter aggression and maintain peace.