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

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)

Avsnitt(1815)

Paolo Gentiloni: Are divisions costing the EU on the global stage?

Paolo Gentiloni: Are divisions costing the EU on the global stage?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Paolo Gentiloni, the European Union's economy commissioner. He’s at the centre of efforts to turn the bloc into an economic superpower capable of rivalling the US and China. But is the EU simply too divided to project real geopolitical power?

4 Okt 202323min

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar: Can he steer Pakistan through political turmoil?

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar: Can he steer Pakistan through political turmoil?

Zeinab Badawi speaks to Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar. Can he steer the country through its current political turmoil until postponed elections are held?

2 Okt 202323min

Martin Griffiths: Is the UN system failing those in greatest need?

Martin Griffiths: Is the UN system failing those in greatest need?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. From the Ukraine war to Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Myanmar and Ethiopia, is the UN system failing those in greatest need?

28 Sep 202323min

Kaja Kallas: Is Russia a threat to Estonia?

Kaja Kallas: Is Russia a threat to Estonia?

Stephen Sackur is in Tallinn for an exclusive interview with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. This small Baltic state knows all about subjugation to Moscow and is a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, but just how risky is it to defy the Russian bear next door?

26 Sep 202323min

Shaharzad Akbar: How should the world respond to Afghanistan's crisis?

Shaharzad Akbar: How should the world respond to Afghanistan's crisis?

Stephen Sackur speaks to exiled Afghan human rights campaigner Shaharzad Akbar. She is focused on the fight to end what she calls the Taliban’s gender apartheid. Given the scale of poverty and repression in Afghanistan, what is the right international response?(Photo: Shaharzad Akbar in the Hardtalk Studio)

22 Sep 202323min

Caroline Lucas: Parliamentary politics or direct action?

Caroline Lucas: Parliamentary politics or direct action?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Green Party of England and Wales politician Caroline Lucas. She’s the party’s only Westminster MP, but she’s decided to quit. Is that because putting the planet first is never going to be a pathway to power?

18 Sep 202322min

Yuval Noah Harari: Are humans losing the ability to trust and co-operate?

Yuval Noah Harari: Are humans losing the ability to trust and co-operate?

Stephen Sackur speaks to the acclaimed Israeli historian and author Yuval Noah Harari. Having given us an explanation of the success of humankind in his book Sapiens, he’s now in darker territory. From Israel to the United States, he says democracy is in danger. Are humans losing the ability to trust and co-operate?

17 Sep 202323min

Vladimir Milov: Could Putin outlast his enemies?

Vladimir Milov: Could Putin outlast his enemies?

Stephen Sackur speaks to former Russian deputy energy minister Vladimir Milov, who once served Vladimir Putin. Now he’s a die-hard opponent of Russia’s premier, living in exile and trying to rally a Russian resistance movement. But from the battlefield to the economy, could Putin yet outlast his enemies?

15 Sep 202323min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

svenska-fall
p3-krim
rss-krimstad
fordomspodden
rss-viva-fotboll
flashback-forever
aftonbladet-daily
rss-sanning-konsekvens
rss-vad-fan-hande
olyckan-inifran
dagens-eko
rss-frandfors-horna
krimmagasinet
motiv
rss-expressen-dok
rss-krimreportrarna
svd-dokumentara-berattelser-2
blenda-2
svd-nyhetsartiklar
spotlight