At a Berlin Security Conference panel, EU Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said Russian defense spending could nearly match Europe's combined 2027 total on a purchasing-power-parity basis, Anadolu Agency reported Tuesday.
Kubilius estimated that European defense spending would total about €500 billion ($559 billion) next year. He said he saw no weakening in Russia's military potential.
He called on EU governments to target investment at gaps in Europe's military capabilities. Kubilius said Washington's growing attention to the Indo-Pacific should also shape European defense priorities.
European Council conclusions adopted Oct. 15-16 set 2030 as a goal for improving the bloc's defense readiness.
Kubilius said EU defense efforts should complement NATO. EconoTimes has also covered NATO-EU discussions on military mobility and defense production, which included continued aid for Ukraine.
