New EU defence chief urges Europe to prepare for Russian confrontation

The European Union must be quick to increase its defences as Russia may be ready for a confrontation in six to eight years, the nominee to be the EU's first defence commissioner told Reuters in an interview.

Mr Andrius Kubilius, a former prime minister of Lithuania of Russia's neighbours - has been tapped to boost the continent's arms industry, by getting EU countries to spend more on European weapons and procure jointly, as well as by getting companies themselves to cooperate more across borders.

The new post reflects how security has risen to the top of the EU's political agenda since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

"Defence ministers and Nato generals agree that Vladimir Putin could be ready for confrontation with Nato and the EU in six to eight years," Mr Kubilius, a fierce critic of Russia and supporter of Ukraine, said on Sept 18.