EU defense chief assesses if Europe can get rid of dependence on US
Photo: Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
It will take years for Europe to expand its strategic capabilities and reduce the role of the United States in the defense sphere, European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius says in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
According to Kubilius, Europe's strategic autonomy in the defense sphere is likely to be achieved by gradually expanding its capabilities.
"It would be good to have a clear plan on our side on which capabilities we need to replace and to agree with Americans how long it will take, how much it will cost, and so on. So it will definitely take not one year. Some of the capabilities, perhaps, we need to be ready to replace more quickly. And that is for our military experts to say. But at least, very important would be for us to understand that that's going to happen. Well, maybe in 10 years, Americans will diminish their role," he adds.
In addition, according to the European Commissioner for Defense, it is important to remember that Russia is becoming increasingly aggressive. This forces us to ask ourselves the question: how can we mobilize critical resources in favor of democratic Europe to be ready to defend it?
"And that is where a question comes about the possibility of Ukraine to integrate as quickly as it will be possible, integrate into some kind of new European structures which we shall need to develop to balance this institutional level of our defense readiness when Americans start to move out," Kubilius explains.
Strengthening defense of NATO member states
Earlier, US President Donald Trump repeatedly stated that he expects European NATO member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. In particular, he threatened to withdraw the United States from the Alliance.
During the last NATO summit, member states nevertheless pledged to increase spending over the next 10 years.
