NATO Gains Time as Ukraine Resists: EU Officials Call for Increased Defense Measures
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| NATO Buys Time; Ukraine Resists: EU Urges Stronger Defense |
As the conflict in Ukraine persists, NATO member states may be gaining valuable time to bolster their readiness for any potential confrontation with Russia, according to Andrius Kubilius, the EU Commissioner for Defense and Space.
Kubilius, a vocal critic of Russia and former Lithuanian prime minister, was appointed as the EU’s first defense commissioner by the European Parliament in November. Speaking at the European Defense Agency’s annual conference on Wednesday, he emphasized the strategic benefits of Ukraine’s resistance.
“Each missile or drone neutralized by Ukraine is one less threat to Europe and NATO,” Kubilius remarked. He also stated, “Every additional day Ukraine holds the line strengthens the European Union and NATO’s position.”
Kubilius urged EU governments to increase military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that such support extends the timeline needed to reinforce a credible deterrent against possible Russian aggression. He referenced NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s warnings about a potential attack by Russia and called for significant increases in defense spending at both national and EU levels.
“Russian production lines are operating around the clock, manufacturing weapons and ammunition,” he noted, highlighting the importance of surpassing Russia in military production and expenditure. The EU has allocated €300 million (over $312 million) for collaborative projects focused on ammunition, missile defenses, and advanced armed vehicles. Kubilius hailed this as a significant milestone in European defense manufacturing.
Similarly, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s fight against Russia, describing it as a critical factor that provides NATO and the EU with additional preparation time.
The statements come amid concerns about potential reductions in U.S. foreign aid under President Donald Trump, who assumed office on Monday. NATO Secretary-General Rutte has urged alliance members to adopt a “wartime mindset” and significantly boost defense budgets, warning of risks if decisive actions are not taken. He recently cautioned that failure to act could leave member states vulnerable within five years, jokingly suggesting they might need to take “Russian language courses or relocate to New Zealand.”
Moscow, however, has consistently rejected allegations that it poses a threat to NATO member states. The Kremlin has accused Western nations of waging a proxy war against Russia, claiming that NATO’s expansion and increased cooperation with Ukraine following the 2014 coup in Kyiv are the root causes of the ongoing conflict.