Lithuanian Representative, Who Actively Supports Ukraine, to Become European Commissioner for Defence

Lithuanian representative Andrius Kubilius will take up the post of Commissioner for Security, Defence and Space in Ursula von der Leyen's new European Commission. 

This is reported by Politico, citing conversations with officials at the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council, as well as with officials in various European capitals.

Von der Leyen has previously said that it would make sense to give the newly created post of defence commissioner to someone from Central or Eastern Europe.

Kubilius, a member of the European Parliament specialising in foreign affairs, is an experienced politician with more than five years of experience as prime minister, having served twice. 

He is widely respected for leading Lithuania through the 2008 financial crisis. Kubilius is also a strong supporter of Ukraine. 

He has emphasised the need for continued military support for Kyiv, advocating a plan whereby Western allies would provide 0.25% of GDP to help defeat Russia on the battlefield. 

He also called for forcing Moscow to foot the bill for rebuilding Ukraine using all frozen Russian assets. 

In Vilnius, he proposed the creation of a government department or ministry fully dedicated to Ukraine.

Kubilius has previously said that the European Commission should make enlargement - including the accession of Ukraine - its priority over the next five years.

As The Gaze previously reported, Latvian representative Valdis Dombrovskis will be appointed executive vice-president for ‘enlargement and reconstruction of Ukraine’.