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Spain agrees with the Defense Commissioner on the “opportunity” to strengthen the EU’s military industry

by AI | 05.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The Spanish Minister of Defense has reiterated Spain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and the aspiration that all of Europe contribute, without any divisions, to strengthening that country, as an essential step towards achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine and across the continent.

The Spanish Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, during the conference 'Challenge to Build Peace in Ukraine', at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum, on February 27, 2025, in Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain). Photo: Alberto Paredes / Europa Press

Madrid/Brussels – The Minister of Defense of the Government of Spain, Margarita Robles, and the EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, agreed on Tuesday that the current international context is “an opportunity” to “take a decisive leap” in promoting the ‘Defense Union’ and supporting the European military industry “making it more solid and resilient”.

During a telephone conversation, Robles and Kubilius addressed the “urgent need” to maintain current funding measures and explore new ones, considering it a matter of vital importance for Europe to equip itself with the necessary capabilities to strengthen its security and defense while simultaneously bolstering NATO.

In addition, the European Commissioner and the Spanish Minister agreed that these initiatives should leverage “the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises” and that the consequent job generation is based on “an equitable regional distribution”.

The Minister of Defense reiterated the Spanish commitment to supporting Ukraine and the aspiration for all of Europe to contribute, without fissures, to reinforce that country, as an essential step for achieving lasting peace in Ukraine and across the continent.

Finally, both authorities agreed on the advisability of maintaining direct contact, especially at these times of strong momentum towards the ‘Defense Union’, paying particular attention to “threats” coming from Ukraine, as well as those from the southern flank, specifically mentioning the significant security challenges present in the Sahel.

This conversation was held on the same day that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced a new instrument aimed at mobilizing 150 billion euros in loans to boost defense spending in the European Union, as part of a rearmament plan to allocate up to 800 billion in Defense over the next decade against the backdrop of geopolitical turmoil marked by the rapprochement of the United States with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine.

“The real question we are facing is whether Europe is prepared to act with the determination that the situation dictates and if it is ready and able to act with the necessary speed and ambition,” said the Community President in a statement without questions from Brussels regarding the letter sent to European capitals with options for strengthening European Defense ahead of this Thursday’s extraordinary summit, in which EU leaders are called to make decisions.

In her letter, the leader of the European Executive rejects an incremental response from the EU to the situation in Ukraine and the urgency of rearming Europe and advocates “being up to the moment” and “gathering the collective spirit of defending democracy”. (March 4)