EU defense ministers are holding an informal meeting in Warsaw today to discuss ways to further assist Ukraine and build up their own defense capabilities. At the same time, collective defense remains a symbol of European solidarity, which, in turn, is the basis for the strength of the entire EU.
This was stated today in Warsaw on the doorstep of the event by European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“We need to understand that defense is a symbol and implementation of solidarity, which is the greatest value in the European Union. Solidarity in defense means implementing the principles of collective defense, where each member state must feel responsibility not only for its own, but also for collective defense. If someone does not invest enough in their own defense, they need to understand that they are also weakening other countries,” the Commissioner said.
He noted that today’s informal meeting of ministers would be devoted to two main topics – how to increase support for Ukraine and how to strengthen the European Union’s own defense capabilities, in accordance with the recently adopted White Paper on the Future of European Defense.
In both areas, he said, Poland is playing a leading role and setting a good example for other European states, both in terms of defense spending and in taking care not only of its own but also of regional security.
“The initiative very much promoted by Polish government together with the Baltic States, called the Eastern Border Defense Shield, is very important for the whole European Union. Poland is also showing very clear leadership in supporting Ukraine, which is a top priority in both the White Paper and our daily activities. So I hope this will be a very good meeting,” Kubilius added.
Answering questions from journalists, he commented on the U.S. decision to introduce tariffs in global trade.
“That is definitely what the European Union did not wish to happen doing everything to avoid that development. Now we will see what the consequences will be, both from an economic and political point of view. We are keeping our strong belief that Transatlantic relations are of strategic importance,” the European Commissioner stressed.
As already reported, an informal meeting of EU defense ministers is taking place in Warsaw today, the main topics of which are ways to further support Ukraine and strengthen European defense.
Source: Collective defense symbol of European solidarity, strength – Kubilius
