EU Defense Commissioner: Europe Faces Security Perfect Storm

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, June 10 (KUNA) -- European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius affirmed on Tuesday that Europe is facing a "perfect storm" in the security field.
He warned of growing Russian threats and an expected gradual withdrawal of the US from the European defense scene, stressing the urgent need to reshape the EU's defense capabilities.
This came during his speech at the European Defense and Security Summit held today in the Belgian capital, Brussels.
Kubilius noted that the ongoing war in Ukraine, the absence of any prospects for peace, and the accelerated militarization of the Russian economy puts Europe before an exceptional challenge that requires a shift from a "peace-time mentality" to a "state of defensive readiness," stressing that deterrence can only be achieved through strength within Europe and on the Ukrainian front.
"Our readiness for defense is not sufficient. It demands an urgent ramp-up and a longer term strategy how to replace American capabilities in Europe," Kubilius said, adding "The forthcoming American withdrawal from Europe is a new reality."
He noted that the new European strategy, which includes the European ReArm Program and the White Paper for European Defense, aims for double investments in defense and space industries, and to simplify bureaucratic procedures that hinder military production.
He emphasized the importance of the partnership between the EU and NATO, calling for the removal of legal and procedural obstacles to facilitate defense cooperation.
Kubilius added that the EU must fill the gap in military capabilities caused by previous reliance on US support, pointing to estimates suggesting that closing this gap would require recruiting an additional 300,000 soldiers and investments nearing to USD one trillion.
He stressed the need to draw lessons from Ukraine both on the battlefield and in defense industrial innovation announcing the launch of a joint program called "Brave Europe" to enhance cooperation between European and Ukrainian companies in the field of defense technology.
The EU official affirmed that "Europe's peace" cannot be achieved without real defense autonomy, adding that building an integrated European defense union that includes Ukraine and the UK is a strategic necessity in light of the expected US withdrawal and rising Russian threats.
He pointed out that while the EU may not currently be at war, it is living in a "time of war," warning against complacency and emphasizing that maintaining peace on the continent requires "bold decisions" and unprecedented investments in defense readiness. (end)
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