No peace in sight in Russia's war against Ukraine – Commissioner Kubilius

EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius said this in his speech at the Forum Europa event "Ideas to Strengthen the Union" in Brussels, Ukrinform reports.

"While building our independence and European strength, we need to see: in Russia's war against Ukraine – there's no peace on the horizon," Kubilius said, emphasizing the "real possibility" that the EU could itself face Russian aggression.

The commissioner cited several figures that highlight the security situation.

"Russia spends on its military in PPP terms – 85% of EU defense spending. Russia is ready to use from 7 to 9 million drones in 2026. And the war in Iran can hit us not only with increasing energy prices, but also with ballistic missile attacks up to 3,000 kilometers in range," Kubilius said.

He also mentioned shortages in the supply of missile defense systems to Ukraine, the Gulf countries, and Europe, and recalled NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's call for Europe to "increase its air defense capabilities by 400%."

Speaking on Ukraine's role in European security, Kubilius said: "Ukraine is defending us. During more than four years of terrible war, the EU and Member States are the biggest supporters of Ukraine's defense. […] Only the strength of Ukraine is the way to a just peace. Such a peace will come if Ukraine starts to prevail against Russia."

In this context, he reiterated his previous call to increase support for Ukraine, noting that a Russian victory would cost Europe twice as much.

"Defense investment is always expensive, but non-investment will always cost much more. That is why it's simply cost effective for us to invest into the strength of Ukraine's defense and into Europe's defense. And we need Ukraine for our defense. If Russia attacks us, EU Member States will face a Russian battle-tested army, much stronger than in 2022, able to use almost 10 million drones. No NATO Member State in Europe has such a battle-tested experience. Only the military forces of Ukraine have," the commissioner said.

Kubilius said that integrating Ukraine's defense industrial capabilities into Europe's defense industry aligns with Europe's vital interests. He stressed that this can be done more quickly by taking the initiative to create a European Defense Union, the commissioner added.

"It would be a good stepping stone for Ukraine towards full membership in EU in the near future," he said.