Europe must prepare for reduced US military role, warns Commissioner

European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has warned that Europe must prepare for the possibility of a reduced U.S. military presence and be ready to replace key American defence capabilities on the continent.

Speaking at a defence conference in Brussels, Kubilius stressed that the United States could limit its role in Europe in the future, which would require a rapid strengthening of Europe's defence industry.

According to him, failure to act could lead to increased pressure from Russia on the region, CE Report quotes STA.

Kubilius estimated that closing Europe’s “strategic gaps” could cost around €500 billion. He noted that the challenge is not only securing funding, but also ensuring the efficient use of resources and expanding European weapons production and innovation capacity.

The Commissioner also called for closer cooperation among EU member states and a greater role for Ukraine’s defence industry within European supply chains.

The warnings come at a time when the United States is considering reducing its military presence in Europe and expects European countries to take greater responsibility for their own defence.

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