European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius delivered a speech at Conclave 2026 highlighting the urgent need for increased European autonomy in defence. Kubilius emphasized that despite longstanding calls for European defence independence dating back over a decade, tangible progress has been lacking. He called this "Europe's independence moment," echoing remarks by leaders like Commission President von der Leyen and Chancellor Merz.
Three Pillars of Defence Readiness
Kubilius articulated a tripartite framework for European defence: material readiness (funding and production), institutional readiness (organizational structure), and political readiness (sustained political will). While noting significant recent financial commitments—such as €150 billion in SAFE loans and 5% GDP defence spending pledges—he warned that spending alone cannot solve fragmentation or dependency issues.
Proposal for a European Security Council
To address the institutional deficit, Kubilius proposed establishing a permanent European Security Council, inspired by the existing E5+ format. This body would include permanent and rotating members, EU leadership, and potentially the UK, intended to coordinate key strategic decisions swiftly: preparing for a possible reduction of US military presence in Europe, creating a European defence pillar within NATO, and integrating defence industry efforts across the single market.
Policy Cleavages and Stakeholders
Kubilius’s proposal signals a move toward increasing EU powers in defence coordination versus existing national sovereignty in military affairs. This would potentially reduce fragmentation and improve competitiveness of EU defence industries but could challenge national authorities reluctant to cede control. EU consumers and civil society might benefit from enhanced security guarantees, while taxpayers could see increased financial commitments. The inclusion of the UK and Ukraine also raises questions of external cooperation and integration beyond core EU membership.
The speech stops short of detailing precise institutional mandates, deadlines, or budgets for the Security Council, focusing instead on the strategic necessity of such a body to deliver coherence and avoid dysfunctional investment. Kubilius framed this initiative as essential to ensure Europe is not left vulnerable if US military focus shifts toward the Indo-Pacific.
Kubilius’s remarks position the EU at a crossroads between greater defence integration and preserving national military prerogatives, underscoring the pressing geopolitical context driving this debate. His appeal for "intellectual mobilization" and swift political leadership aims to catalyze movement from repeated calls to concrete action on European defence union.