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(1813)

Introducing The Interview podcast

Introducing The Interview podcast

Laura Kuenssberg introduces The Interview podcast. First episode Monday 31 March. Conversations with people shaping our world, from all around the globe. The best interviews from the BBC.The HARDtalk podcast has become The Interview. Listen to The Interview for the best conversations from the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider. We hear from titans of business, politics, finance, sport and culture. Global leaders, decision-makers and cultural icons. Politicians, activists and CEOs. Each interview is around 20-minutes, packed full of insight and analysis, covering some of the biggest issues of our time. How does it work? Well, at the BBC, our journalists interview amazing people every single day. And on The Interview, we bring them to you. It’s your one-stop-shop to the best conversations coming out of the BBC, with the people shaping our world, from all over the world. Get in touch with us on emailTheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

29 Mars 1min

HARDtalk: Coda

HARDtalk: Coda

A final look back at some of the encounters and moments that have encapsulated the programme’s commitment to rigorous, well-researched interviews with people in power.

28 Mars 22min

HARDtalk: The early years review

HARDtalk: The early years review

Ahead of HARDtalk’s closure, at the end of this month after 27 years, here’s a chance to look back at some of the most memorable interviews of the programme’s early years. It’s an extraordinary archive featuring interviews with Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela, Nina Simone, Robin Williams and Martha Gellhorn.

24 Mars 22min

Reid Hoffman: Should we trust the tech elite?

Reid Hoffman: Should we trust the tech elite?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Reid Hoffman, the tech billionaire who co-founded LinkedIn and is a prophet of positivity about Artificial Intelligence.

19 Mars 22min

Allen Ault: Opposing the death penalty

Allen Ault: Opposing the death penalty

Another chance to hear Stephen Sackur’s 2014 interview with Allen Ault. As the former commissioner of corrections in the US state of Georgia, Ault was responsible for state-sanctioned executions. He organised the killing of criminals until he could stand it no more. What made him leave his post and take up the campaign to end the death penalty?

17 Mars 24min

Christine Lagarde: Can Europe's economy withstand Trump 2.0?

Christine Lagarde: Can Europe's economy withstand Trump 2.0?

Stephen Sackur is in Frankfurt for an exclusive interview with Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank. Donald Trump has triggered what could become a global trade war and has prompted European governments to make massive new defence spending commitments. Is the European economy capable of withstanding Trump 2.0?

14 Mars 22min

Dominique de Villepin: Can Europe become a superpower in its own right?

Dominique de Villepin: Can Europe become a superpower in its own right?

Stephen Sackur is in Paris to talk to former Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin. With Donald Trump in the White House, the alliance between the US and Europe’s democracies looks fragile. Is Europe capable of becoming a superpower in its own right?

12 Mars 22min

Son of Hans Frank, Governor General of Nazi Occupied Poland - Niklas Frank

Son of Hans Frank, Governor General of Nazi Occupied Poland - Niklas Frank

Stephen Sackur is in Germany to speak to Niklas Frank. His father was Hans Frank, the Governor General of Nazi Occupied Poland during the World War Two. He was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg trials and executed in 1946. Niklas Frank tells Stephen Sackur he 'despises' his father and does not want Germany to forget the crimes of his father and the legacy of the Nazi era.(Photo: Niklas Frank)

10 Mars 22min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

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