'Are we serious about war?': EU defence chief calls for increased budget

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius has urged EU member states to align their defense spending with their stated security ambitions, particularly in the context of upcoming budget negotiations. Kubilius emphasized that a strong defense posture is the best deterrent against conflict, citing the ancient Roman proverb, 'If you want peace, prepare for war.' He argued that cutting defense budgets is a false economy, as the economic damage from escalating tensions into open conflict is far greater. To avoid war and ensure security, Kubilius proposed increasing the EU budget to between 12 and 15 percent of Europe's gross domestic product. This call comes in the wake of a proposal from the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the EU to cut the Competitiveness Fund, an instrument designed to boost technological innovation and defense, by 4 percent. Kubilius noted that net contributor countries, often referred to as 'frugals,' such as Germany and the Netherlands, have advocated for broader budget cuts while simultaneously calling for resources to be redirected towards defense priorities, potentially at the expense of traditional areas like the common agricultural policy and cohesion policy. The Commissioner asserted that increasing defense spending at the EU level provides significant added value through joint procurement procedures, which he believes are far more efficient than national-level spending. He drew a parallel with the United States, where the federal budget expanded substantially during World War II, coinciding with the development of its modern welfare and security state. Kubilius concluded that if member states wish to avoid war and save money on defense, they should increase both the overall EU budget and government spending at the EU level.