Pivotal Moment for Europe: Recommendations from CEE before Commissioner’s Hearings - What are the five priorities for the incoming EU Defence and Space Commissioner?

1. EU citizens expect more security and defence from the EU. In his upcoming hearing, Mr. Kubilius should present a new level of ambition going beyond crisis management tasks set in the Strategic Compass. Russia is waging a war against Ukraine and a hybrid war against Member States. A. Kubilius must make a clear case for the EU to build up its ability to deter Russia, increase resilience against Russia’s grey-zone attacks and quickly boost the capacity of the European defence industry. EU cannot replace NATO but needs to help Member States build military capabilities needed for effective deterrence and defence.

2. Defining the EU’s relationship with NATO will be critical for the European Defence Union. European Allies currently provide around one quarter of the military capabilities needed for collective defence. In his hearing, Mr. Kubilius must set out a vision how the EU is going to help Member States build up more national military capabilities to support collective goals both in the EU and NATO. The ability of the EU to rebalance the Transatlantic effort on defence of Europe will be an expectation from any US Administration, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming US Presidential Election.

3. As a future EU Commissioner, Mr. Kubilius’s strength lies in the Single Market. In defence, creating a Single Market will substantially increase the European defence industry’s competitiveness and capacity. Mr. Kubilius should therefore propose an ambitious schedule to introduce a true Single European Market for Defence. Among his priorities, he should work on reducing administrative burden by eliminating import/export licences for defence goods and services among EU Member States. He should propose a review of EU rules on public procurement in defence, to stimulate defence spending and joint procurement. He should use the Commission’s legislative initiative to overcome lack of progress in initiatives such as military mobility.

4. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its continued aggressive behaviour is the single biggest threat to European security. As Russia escalates the war by deploying North Korean soldiers, continued self-restraint from the West on support to Ukraine is a mistake. Mr. Kubilius should commit to work with his colleagues in the Commission and EU Member States to continue military support to Ukraine. The support must be quick, decisive and without limitations to enable Ukraine to get to negotiations on the settlement of the conflict with Russia from a position of strength. Otherwise, EU Member States must prepare for further significant increases in defence spending and possible a conflict with Russia over the next decade.

5. Defence costs money. The EU must be ready to invest more funds into defence. It is much more than spending at least 2 % of GDP on defence. In his upcoming hearing, Mr. Kubilius should put it as a condition for peace, stability and prosperity that the EU earmarks significantly more financial resources in the next Multiannual Financial Framework for defence. He should also double down on lifting taxonomy restrictions on access to financing by European defence companies. Mr. Kubilius needs to find a way to channel the rising level of available private venture capital for investments into innovation in defence and dual-use technology.