My take on long-term tectonic shifts taking place globally and across the European continent and how to prepare for them. Some occur only once in a millennium, others will reshape security architecture of the European continent. A longer read ⬇️ andriuskubilius.lt/en/what-are-...

What Are We Living Through?

We are living through turbulent times. That is what everybody feels and sees. There is no need to list all the issues that create these feelings of turbulence every day.However, in order to understand...

andriuskubilius.lt

On security challenges to Europe, “big bang” for European defence, 🇪🇺 defence readiness, and learning from Ukraine - in my interview to Talk to Al Jazeera @aljazeera.com ⬇️ www.aljazeera.com/video/talk-t...

Tanks, troops and space

Andrius Kubilius on the lessons from Ukraine and why drones and space are transforming Europe's security strategy.

aljazeera.com

Had a good phone conversation with acting Defence Minister Khmara 🇺🇦. We discussed continued EU🇪🇺support for 🇺🇦, the issue of PAC3 deliveries, and the cooperation on defence projects of crucial importance for Ukraine and for Europe. The EU stands firmly with Ukraine!

Across the continent, Europe 🇪🇺 goes #IRIS². Spain 🇪🇸intends to reinforce its capacities by investing up to €2 billion in the EU Secure Connectivity Programme. I welcome 🇪🇸 decision! It will bring more capabilities to 🇪🇸militaries and more jobs for 🇪🇺industries! #EUSpace

Today @ec.europa.eu disbursed €3,5bln tranche to 🇺🇦 under Ukraine support loan, in addition to the previous €3,9 & €1,1bln tranches. It will help provide: ⏩ drones  ⏩ missiles  ⏩ air defence systems Because Ukraine’s security is also Europe’s security. Slava Ukraini!

Until 2035, Member States will spend €7 tln on defence.   This creates for US 🇺🇸 defence companies a rapidly growing European defence market.  On top of that are EU 🇪🇺 defence investment programmes, which also offer opportunities for American industry. #EUDefenseNight

We are learning how to transform our industry and war doctrine from Ukraine.  By putting Ukraine at the centre of our defence initiatives on innovation, joint procurement & production, and by making 🇺🇦 part of pan-European defence projects. #EUDefenseNight

We now need to double down on our support for brave Ukraine 🇺🇦 . The EU & Member States will continue our support, as we have done till now, being the biggest supporter worldwide of Ukraine, with more than €180 billion since the Russian invasion. #EUDefenseNight

We live through a century of major tectonic geopolitical shifts in the world. These shifts demand holistic approach to our defence readiness, which has three equally important pillars: material, institutional & political #DefenceReadiness. #EUDefenseNight

The NATO Summit made clear: Russia is the biggest long term threat for Europe & for NATO. To deter Russia we need a stronger Europe. We need NATO 3.0. Americans are asking Europe to take primary responsibility for its own conventional defence.  And this is what we are doing.

Together we need to fear no adversary. But alone and divided, we are in danger.  The biggest adversary, the biggest threat on the continent of Europe is now Russia.  We can only deter Russian aggression, together 🇪🇺🇺🇸 #EUDefenseNight

Russia deliberately attacked the Latvian Honorary Consulate in Sloviansk. Russia seeks to divide the EU and diminish our support to Ukraine. But the Kremlin is wrong! We will speed up our support to 🇺🇦! My full solidarity with Latvia! Lai dzīvo Latvia! Slava Ukraini!

Had an extensive discussion with US space companies.  The EU is committed to growing the space economy in Europe, market defragmentation and harmonisation.  Encouraging to hear that the EU Space Act can help achieve these goals & jointly address the challenges posed by China.

In a changing world, Europe and America need each other. In the short run – to face the Russian threat. In the longer run – to face the shifting balance of power on a global scene. We are natural allies. My keynote at #EUDefenseNight⬇️ ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Today in Washington DC at #EUDefenseNight 🇪🇺🇺🇸. Massive attention from US🇺🇲 industry & investors to EU🇪🇺 defence initiatives!

Thank you, Senator Wicker, Chairman of #SASCGOP, for interesting discussion on how to jointly build NATO 3.0, strengthen European pillar & transatlantic capabilities to deter Russia, and further support Ukraine🇺🇦. 1/2

🇪🇺 Europe is delivering on defence readiness. 🇬🇷 Today, Greece received more than €118 million under #SAFE, helping accelerate priority defence investments and modernise its military capabilities. Together, we are building a stronger and more resilient European defence.

Impressions from my mission to Warsaw where we had the signing ceremony of the #IRIS²-Polish contribution Agreement. Poland is pioneering a truly European approach - by investing €656 mln from EU RRF to develop 🇵🇱 secure satellite connectivity system as part of the 🇪🇺 satellite constellation.

Space economy in Poland🇵🇱 is on a rise. I visited Polish/European space companies & exchanged w/ Maciej Krzyżanowski, CEO #CloudFerro & Dr. Grzegorz Brona, CEO #CreotechSa. Happy to hear that EU🇪🇺 programmes #CopernicusEU, #IRIS2 give a boost to European space industry&defence.

Today in Warsaw, I met w/Adel Al-Saleh, CEO SES, Jean-François Fallacher, CEO EUTELSAT & Luis Mayo, CEO HISPASAT - SpaceRISE Consortium implementing IRIS². #IRIS² is 🇪🇺 solution for satelite secure connectivity based on a PPP. Its precursor GOVSATCOM already started this year.

By integrating 🇵🇱 system with #IRIS², Poland chooses to go European 🇪🇺 instead of going alone. Poland's investment today will make Poland, the Eastern Flank and the entire EU safer. My speech ⬇️ 🔗 ec.europa.eu/commission/p... #EUSpace

Thank you, Minister Marcin Kierwiński, for your leadership in bringing Poland🇵🇱 closer to EU🇪🇺 space programmes.  Our defence and law enforcement forces need the best secure satelite connectivity, positioning & services.  And the EU can offer this! The EU brings solidarity and efficiency! #EUSpace

Today Poland🇵🇱 joins the EU🇪🇺 space programme #IRIS² with additional €656 mln.  🇵🇱 is on a remarkable space journey to build a strong space economy & secure connectivity for the defence of Poland, the Eastern Flank & 🇪🇺.  IRIS² brings greater unity & strength for the entire Europe. #EUSpace

Another Eastern Flank country has signed #SAFE 🇪🇺 -€2.3 billion! With support from the EU budget, Estonia 🇪🇪 will invest in its national defence, boost production capacity of European defence industry, support Ukraine 🇺🇦 and promote cross-border cooperation while strengthening SMEs participation.

This week 🇪🇺&🇺🇦 have made a #DroneDeal. Now we switch to implementation mode. The #DroneAlliance - 1st practical step. It will bring EU&UA drone companies together to work on innovation, ramp-up, legal environment and delivery. #Stronger2gether ➡️ link.europa.eu/GJFJ9h

Great news for our security and the Eastern Flank! Slovakia 🇸🇰will receive €2.3 billion from #SAFE 🇪🇺to strengthen its defence industry, reinforcing a sector that is already vital to the security of the EU & NATO while supporting economic growth and creating high-quality jobs.

Dear Mykhailo, you did a great job for defence of Ukraine and for defence of Europe! It was a big pleasure and honour to work together! In Europe we are learning a lot from defence of Ukraine! Slava Ukrainy! Herojam slava!

It’s a deal on #AGILE! New ultra-fast defence innovation programme agreed at ultra-fast speed. Four months max for grants to reach 🇪🇺🇺🇦🇳🇴 SMEs&start-ups, for super-fast delivery of disruptive defence products to our armed forces. Speed is vital to defend and deter!

We want 🇺🇦 to become one of the most important pillars of this new European defence architecture, whatever it will be called: European Defence Union or European Security Council. This is the only way how Europe can become much stronger in its defence. 🇪🇺🇺🇦Defence Industry Forum

Europeans have a very strong & vital interest to push for the defence industries of Ukraine and Europe to integrate. This is how we can learn and benefit from your battle tested industrial experience. That is how we can make our armies much stronger. 🇪🇺🇺🇦Defence Industry Forum