Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space: A new era of defence readiness
The Interview24 Kesä

Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space: A new era of defence readiness

James Copnall, presenter of BBC Newsday, speaks to Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, about the need for Europe to be able to defend itself.

In an interview recorded before the Nato summit on 24/25 June 2025, Mr Kubilius, a former Prime Minister of Lithuania, says peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted and that Europe can no longer rely on American military backing. Therefore, defence readiness must be a priority, meaning increased spending commitments from Nato members, and a unified, quick and clear approach across Europe to building defence capabilities. This, he believes, is the only way to deter the threat of further Russian aggression.

But some Nato member states may struggle to meet the proposed increased spending target of 3.5% of GDP on defence. A few still haven’t met the current goal of 2%, set more than a decade ago. However, other European nations are already boosting spending to 5% including countries living in close proximity to Russia, such as Poland, Estonia and Lithuania.

Overall, Europe still only accounts for 30% of Nato's total military spending, a figure that has prompted US President Trump to demand a much greater contribution from European members. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: James Copnall Producers: Lucy Sheppard, Ben Cooper and Owen Clegg Editor: Nick Holland

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

(Image: Andrius Kubilius. Credit: John Thys/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Jaksot(1814)

Bassem Youssef: Can laughter ever provoke political change?

Bassem Youssef: Can laughter ever provoke political change?

Stephen Sackur is in New York for a special edition of the programme with Egyptian American satirist Bassem Youssef. During the Arab Spring, his mockery of Egypt’s leaders won him millions of fans, but after the military took over he fled to the US where he has reinvented his comedy career. Can laughter ever provoke political change?(Photo: Bassem Youssef, comedian and political satirist)

16 Helmi 202423min

Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya: Does Ukraine feel betrayed?

Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya: Does Ukraine feel betrayed?

Stephen Sackur is in New York City for an exclusive interview with Ukraine’s top diplomat at the United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsya. With partisan warfare in Washington DC blocking crucial military assistance to Kyiv, does Ukraine feel betrayed?(Photo: Still taken from the Hardtalk interview with Sergiy Kyslytsya)

13 Helmi 202423min

Cornel West: Could enough votes taken from Joe Biden help Donald Trump get elected?

Cornel West: Could enough votes taken from Joe Biden help Donald Trump get elected?

Stephen Sackur is in New York City to speak to Cornel West, the high-profile philosopher, writer and activist who has launched his own bid for the White House. Running as independent, he looks unlikely to win but could this anti-war socialist take enough votes from Joe Biden to help Donald Trump get elected a second time?

12 Helmi 202423min

Vassily Nebenzia: Is Russia influencing global opinions?

Vassily Nebenzia: Is Russia influencing global opinions?

Stephen Sackur is in New York City, home of the United Nations, to speak to Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s permanent representative to the UN. Ambassador Nebenzia is a key player in Vladimir Putin’s combative diplomatic strategy to accuse the West of seeking to impose its will on the world, from Ukraine to the Middle East. How effective is Moscow in the battle for world opinion?

7 Helmi 202423min

José Ramos-Horta: Peace and reconciliation

José Ramos-Horta: Peace and reconciliation

Stephen Sackur speaks to José Ramos Horta, President of Timor-Leste. Are there lessons for the world to learn from his extraordinary life?

5 Helmi 202423min

Abdalla Hamdok: Can Sudan find peace?

Abdalla Hamdok: Can Sudan find peace?

Zeinab Badawi speaks to the former prime minister of Sudan, Abdalla Hamdok. He is at the heart of negotiations to bring peace to the country after ten months of conflict, in which thousands have died and millions have been displaced. Can his efforts succeed?

1 Helmi 202423min

Ronald Lamola: Is South Africa's genocide case against Israel a geo-political game changer?

Ronald Lamola: Is South Africa's genocide case against Israel a geo-political game changer?

Stephen Sackur speaks to South African justice minister Ronald Lamola, a key player in the country’s genocide case against Israel presented to the International Court of Justice. The court’s preliminary ruling has made little immediate difference to the war in Gaza, but longer term could it be a geo-political game changer?

31 Tammi 202423min

Jasvinder Sanghera: Abuse and the Church of England

Jasvinder Sanghera: Abuse and the Church of England

Stephen Sackur speaks to Jasvinder Sanghera, who as a child escaped a forced marriage and has been a lifelong advocate for survivors of abuse. She was hired by the Church of England to help them confront abuse allegations. But she and they are now at odds. What went wrong?

29 Tammi 202423min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
aikalisa
rss-podme-livebox
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
otetaan-yhdet
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rikosmyytit
linda-maria
the-ulkopolitist
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-sinivalkoinen-islam
rss-pallo-keskelle-2
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat