Brussels: European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has called for the establishment of a permanent European military force consisting of 100,000 troops to bolster European defense capabilities in response to a diminishing US role on the continent. Kubilius made these remarks during his participation at the "Folk och Forsvar - National Conference 2026," where he addressed the theme "Europe Under Pressure." According to Kuwait News Agency, Kubilius highlighted the increasing security challenges Europe faces, including the ongoing Russian threat and signs of a US military pivot toward the Indo-Pacific region. He stressed the need for a significant transformation in European defense readiness, encompassing not only financial and military aspects but also institutional and political dimensions. Kubilius pointed out that Russia's military budget constitutes approximately 85 percent of the total defense spending of EU Member States, emphasizing President Vladimir Putin's apparent commitment to a war economy approach, even in the event of a peace settlement. He noted that the United States is encouraging Europeans to assume full responsibility for the continent's conventional defense, which he described as a realistic necessity. The European Defense Commissioner clarified that European defense independence does not equate to leaving NATO but rather being prepared to defend Europe within the Alliance, albeit with a reduced American presence. He referenced German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's assertion that the era of "Pax Americana" has concluded. Kubilius outlined three central pillars for European defense readiness: material (funding, production, and weapons), institutional (organization and command structures), and political (the resolve to deter, defend, and, if necessary, fight). He warned that the failure of any single pillar could compromise the entire defense system. He also questioned how to replace the permanent US military force in Europe, suggesting that reliance on a single country or a collection of 27 limited-capability national armies is not feasible. Instead, he advocated for the creation of a "powerful, standing European military force" of similar size. Kubilius called for the exploration of establishing a "European pillar within NATO," including a unified European command and control structures, as well as a European headquarters. On the institutional front, Kubilius proposed the activation of a "European Security Council," consisting of key Member States with rotating members, along with the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council. He suggested involving the United Kingdom in discussions on broader European security issues. Such a council, he argued, could serve as a unified leadership platform for swift and effective defense decisions. Kubilius identified Ukraine as the first real test for this proposed European Security Council, warning that maintaining the current level of support might lead to a deterioration of the situation in Russia's favor, given Moscow's reluctance to accept peace plans. In his concluding remarks, Kubilius underscored the importance of political will in defense, recalling Sweden's historical support for the independence of the Baltic states. He emphasized that "political defense readiness means standing together as Europeans, and today also with Ukraine." These remarks come amid concerns among NATO allies over the reliability of Washington's commitment to European security, prompted by statements from US President Donald Trump about his interest in acquiring Greenland, which has led several European countries to enhance their military capabilities in response to Russian threats.
