Ukraine should become a full member of the European Defence Union, says EU Commissioner Kubilius
EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius has urged the inclusion of Ukraine in a new European security architecture without waiting for membership in the EU or NATO. This strategic position was presented in an opinion piece authored by the Commissioner and published by European Pravda on 18 June 2026.
The Commissioner argues that Ukraine has the strongest military in Europe, both in terms of combat experience and defence innovation. At the same time, Europe itself remains fragmented: 27 separate defence budgets, 27 armed forces, and 27 national vetoes. He considers such an architecture strategically unsustainable in the face of real threats.
Why Europe needs a European Defence Union
Andrius Kubilius sees the solution in establishing the European Defence Union (EDU) — a new structure based on an intergovernmental treaty and open not only to EU member states. The United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, Türkiye, and above all Ukraine could become members.
In contrast to existing EU treaties, which are focused on external operations, the EDU would be intended to ensure the territorial defence of its members and create a comprehensive and unified European defence market. The initiative could be launched with as few as 15 signatory states.
The EU should have a vital interest in including Ukraine in this architecture, first and foremost to make use of Ukraine’s defence capabilities to strengthen our own defence capacity. Naturally, this would also help Ukraine achieve peace and, subsequently, strengthen its own defence. But we should also look at the broader picture — to fully appreciate the significance of a new European security architecture that includes Ukraine, and to understand the long-term impact this development could have on the eastern part of the European continent, including russia.
In the Commissioner’s view, this logic should underpin the relevant decision.
EDU membership as a stepping stone to full EU membership
Andrius Kubilius sees Ukraine’s integration into the European Defence Union not as an alternative to EU membership, but as a practical path towards it. Participation in a joint defence architecture would help foster among EU citizens an understanding of their own interest in Ukraine’s membership — something that, in his view, is currently lacking.
The roadmap proposed by Andrius Kubilius envisages:
- first, the establishment of an informal European Security Council;
- then, the establishment of the European Defence Union through an intergovernmental treaty;
- followed by Ukraine’s membership in the EDU and the formalisation of the Council within its framework.
In parallel, it envisages a gradual shift from the logic of ‘supporting Ukraine’ to supporting Ukraine’s victory as a prerequisite for achieving peace.
The Commissioner stresses that if russia launches aggression against an EU or NATO member state, only Ukraine has real experience in countering the large-scale use of drones. Integrating this experience into Europe’s defence architecture is a strategic necessity rather than an act of goodwill.