EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said Friday that Russia continues to outproduce Europe militarily despite ongoing efforts to boost defense spending.
The warning highlights a critical gap in industrial capacity that could undermine European security if the bloc cannot accelerate its weapons production. While sanctions are intended to strain the Russian economy, the current output of military hardware suggests a persistent imbalance in readiness.
Speaking from a Euronews studio in Brussels, Kubilius said, "Russia is still outproducing us militarily" [1]. He said the disparity in munitions is notable, stating that Russia produces twice as many artillery shells as all EU countries combined [2].
To address these shortages, Poland and Lithuania are scheduled to finalize nearly €50 billion [1] in defense loans on May 9. The timing of these agreements is intended to serve as a strategic signal, as they coincide with the date of Russia's Victory Day parade [1].
Kubilius said the timing of the loans, occurring just a day before the parade, is symbolic of the urgency the European Union faces [1]. He said Europe is not moving fast enough to close the production gap, a delay that persists even as member states attempt to coordinate their procurement strategies.
The commissioner's remarks come amid conflicting reports regarding the efficacy of economic pressure. While some reports suggest that 20 rounds of sanctions are beginning to create cracks in the Russian economy, Kubilius' data on shell production indicates that the Russian military-industrial complex remains highly active [1].
“"Russia is still outproducing us militarily."”
The admission from the EU Defence Commissioner underscores a shift from focusing on economic sanctions to acknowledging a raw industrial deficit. By tying the finalization of multi-billion euro loans to the date of Russia's Victory Day parade, the EU is attempting to use symbolic timing to pressure member states into faster military integration and procurement.
