Aleksa discusses EU defence readiness with Commission officials

Lithuania’s Deputy Defence Minister Karolis Aleksa discussed European defence readiness and priorities for Lithuania’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU with European Commission officials, LRT reported.

Aleksa met on Friday with European Commission Secretary-General Ilze Juhansone and Björn Seibert, chief of cabinet to the Commission president. They discussed the EU security and defence agenda, funding prospects, EU initiatives and Lithuania’s national small air defence project, focused on countering drones.

Lithuania will take over the Council presidency on January 1, 2027. It plans to push for progress on European defence readiness, with a focus on the EU’s eastern flank, strengthening the defence industry, providing long-term military support to Ukraine, and improving military mobility and cybersecurity.

“During Lithuania’s presidency, we will seek to give momentum to EU security and defence initiatives already under way, and ensure that EU funding and legislative tools help build real military capabilities faster,” Aleksa said. He added that EU capabilities should complement NATO’s capability goals.

Lithuania will also seek the highest possible level of funding for European defence and security, military mobility and defence industry capabilities in the next EU budget. Aleksa said EU-level investment should reflect member states’ defence needs and align with NATO’s capability goals.

The officials also discussed air defence, including the need to address the growing threat from drones and strengthen the EU’s ability to protect its airspace. Aleksa said the war in Ukraine had shown the importance of detecting and neutralising aerial threats in time, particularly drones. He said European investment should target capabilities needed for security now, and that joint solutions could speed up the development and integration of necessary technologies.

On support for Ukraine, Aleksa stressed the need for long-term funding for military assistance, continued EU defence initiatives and better conditions for Ukraine’s defence industry to integrate into Europe’s technology and industrial base. Joint defence industry projects with Ukraine could increase production, accelerate innovation and strengthen Europe’s military capabilities, he said.

Lithuania will hold the Council presidency in the first half of 2027, taking over from Ireland. It will coordinate the Council’s work and cooperate with the European Commission and European Parliament on the EU’s legislative and policy agenda.