EU commissioner answers if EU can replace US military aid to Ukraine
Photo: Andrius Kubilius (Getty Images)
Europe has a ten-year plan for developing its defense industry. In the future, the EU will be able to produce more weapons, European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius says in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
"First of all, Americans are saying that they will not stop so abruptly. So that is one thing," Kubilius said in response to a question about whether Europe will be able to fully replace the United States in the short and medium term if they stop aid to Ukraine.
European Commissioner continued, "Instead of complaining that Americans are betraying us and so on to develop a very clear plan, how much we need to invest into capabilities which we are now getting from Americans, and to agree on that plan with Americans."
"There is something like a ten-year plan, how we shall replace. Some things can be replaced more easily, and some things need to be developed. But to do that in a rational and practical way. Fewer emotions and clearer targeted actions. And I think that really we can do that," Kubilius added.
US weapons
According to Bloomberg, Europe hesitates to buy weapons from the US. But Europeans will be forced to do so. At the NATO summit in The Hague, leaders agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. This will give Europe time to establish production but will do little to help in the short term.
The US has not allocated new aid to Ukraine since President Donald Trump took office. Ukraine will now receive the remaining funds from the total $61 billion allocated in April 2024 under President Joe Biden.
