Lithuania sets out defence priorities for EU Council presidency
Thursday 29th October 2026 on 15:30 in
Lithuania
Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas presented Lithuania’s priorities for its upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union to the Council’s Secretary-General, Thérèse Blanchet, during her visit to Lithuania on Wednesday, LRT reported.
The priorities include strengthening defence readiness and the EU defence industry, ensuring sustainable, long-term military support for Ukraine, improving military mobility and bolstering cybersecurity.
Kaunas said the EU should use financial, legislative and other measures to help member states build their defence capabilities. Lithuania aims to promote a Europe that takes greater responsibility for its own security and strengthens its role in the transatlantic alliance, he said.
He said the EU’s ambitions to strengthen defence should be backed by sustained investment from member states and appropriate EU-level funding in the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework.
On support for Ukraine, Kaunas highlighted the importance of continuing both bilateral assistance and EU funding instruments. He also called for faster integration of Ukraine’s defence industry into the EU’s technological and industrial base.
Joint production of weapons and military equipment with Ukraine would support its fight against Russia and help develop military capabilities tested in combat that Europe needs, Kaunas said.
Lithuania will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027, taking over from Ireland and then handing it to Greece. The three countries form an 18-month presidency trio.