site.btaEU Defence Commissioner: Ukraine Key to Europe’s Future Security Architecture

Ukraine will be the most vital component of Europe's future security architecture, declared EU Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius during an EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum here on Monday.

Ukraine is on the path to EU membership and is already a significant contributor to the European defence industry, Kubilius said. He highlighted the battlefield experience gained by Ukrainian forces, particularly in the use of drones, as a valuable asset for the European Union.

The Commissioner warned that "another 'Army of drones'," which belongs to the aggressor, is preparing itself for aggression against an EU or NATO member state. To stop [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, we need to produce more. We need to innovate more. And we need to do that together - in the EU and with Ukraine,” he said.

Drawing a historical parallel, Kubilius reminded attendees that victory in World War II “was not only a victory of armies. It was also a victory of factories. And the same is true today. Peace through strength will come from production power and brain power”.