He said that at its summit next month in The Hague, NATO “will likely ask alliance members to raise their military capability targets by 30 percent. But allies are already 30 percent behind in delivering on existing capability targets.”
To achieve the new target, Europe must ramp up industrial production and strengthen “strategic enablers,” such as space intelligence, command and control centers, and heavy airlift capabilities — areas where the continent is heavily dependent on the U.S.
“Definitely, it will cost a lot of money,” Kubilius warned, adding that the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates it could cost up to $1 trillion for European allies to replace the current U.S. contribution to NATO.
While boosting their own defense, EU countries must also keep sending weapons and aid to Ukraine.
Both of those aims can be financed through the newly approved €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) loans-for-weapons instrument. “It can become a breakthrough in our support to Ukraine,” he said.
Given Kyiv’s battle-tested army and the growing danger of Russian aggression, Kubilius said Ukraine, along with the United Kingdom, should be an integral part of a new European security architecture.
“Is peace in Ukraine and is victory for Ukraine possible after American withdrawal?” he asked. “My answer is yes! It is possible.”
