Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense, has urged EU countries to reduce fragmentation in the defense sector and to develop pan-European nuclear defense projects.

The European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, called on the EU member states during an informal meeting of defense ministers in Nicosia, urging the reduction of fragmentation in the conventional defense industry and the development of pan-European nuclear defense projects.

He emphasized that the current fragmentation limits success in developing these projects. Kubilius mentioned that, against the backdrop of a repositioning of the United States towards Europe, it is essential for Europe to take primary responsibility for conventional defense, while the U.S. will maintain a secondary role. He also warned about the risks of a shortage of American weapons in Europe, considering the high expenditures of the United States in the war in Iran and the accelerated rearmament pace of Russia.

The Commissioner highlighted the need for a more effective EU response to drone incidents in Eastern Europe and urged member states to collaborate to develop interoperable defense capabilities. Recent examples of drone incidents in the region, including in Romania and Moldova, underscore the urgency of this cooperation.