Faced with the Russian threat and the war in Ukraine, the European Union now has a Commissioner for Defence and Space. Lithuanian Andrius Kubilius was chosen on Tuesday 17 September to fill this new position created by President Ursula von der Leyen.
A former two-time prime minister, credited with his country’s economic recovery during the 2008 financial crisis, he will have to strengthen defense in Europe, a priority of the new European Commission. But the extent of his responsibilities, and the means at his disposal, remain to be specified. “He will work to develop a European defense union and to strengthen our investments in industrial capacities,” said Ursula von der Leyen, presenting the list of 27 new commissioners to the press.
There is no EU army or defence minister, but Brussels is nevertheless involved in defence industries, particularly since the Russian threat increased after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Ursula von der Leyen has made strengthening European defence a priority for her new term. She then decided to create a position of Commissioner for Defence, promising new resources. In June, she estimated the financing needs to strengthen European defence over ten years at around €500 billion.
Resistance within the EU
But there are still many obstacles, given the reluctance of several Member States, at a time when the EU must also finance, among other things, its energy transition. Andrius Kubilius, 67, will have to work closely with the head of European diplomacy (HRVP), the Estonian Kaja Kallas, vice-president of the Commission also responsible for security policies. He will also have to coordinate his action with that of another vice-president of the Commission, the Finnish Hannah Virkunen, whose responsibilities include a security component.
The European Defence Agency, which supports innovation in the armaments sector, among other things, falls under the responsibility of the High Representative, the HRVP in Brussels jargon. Will Kaja Kallas be prepared to give it up in favour of Andrius Kubilius? It is hard to imagine this coming from this former Prime Minister of Estonia, one of Ukraine’s strongest allies in Europe, experts believe.
Like Kaja Kallas, who also comes from a Baltic country, Andrius Kubilius firmly supports Ukraine in its war against Russia. On Tuesday, he called on his fellow MEPs to invest even more in supporting Kiev. However, he will have to convince the member states, which remain sovereign in terms of defense, a task that is often more difficult for someone from a small country, according to some experts. However, he should be able to count on the support of Ursula von der Leyen, a member like him of the EPP, the party that brings together the right and the Christian Democrats in Europe.