Good exchange with Anton Hofreiter, Chair of the Bundestag’s Committee on EU Affairs, and fellow Committee members. We discussed Europe’s defence architecture, defence industry, Ukraine & long-term perspective. National parliaments are key partners in turning 🇪🇺 security into action.

With 🇫🇮Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen we welcome new 🇳🇱Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz at #FAC Defence! We agree that defence readiness and production ramp-up are crucial for the EU to deter and outproduce Russia. Ambitious Defence Omnibus for efficient 🇪🇺Defence Market is essential!

Great job by German “Sparta 2.0” team! A clear plan for Europe to build crucial material defence capabilities at the cost of € 500 bln. If NATO pledges will be implemented, MSs will spend on defence € 7 trln until 2035. More than enough to implement this plan! 1/2 🧵

For 🇱🇹Lithuania and other 🇪🇺Eastern Flank MS, strengthening our defence is not a theoretical issue-it is a necessity. Great debate at the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center with Amb Matulionis, MoD viceminister Godliauskas and MP Kasčiūnas on best ways to europeanize defence 🇪🇺. #EUDefence

Preparedness of health sector for crises, including military ones, is vital for #EUdefence readiness. Minister Marija Jakubauskienė&🇱🇹Ministry of Health learn from 🇺🇦 to operate institutions&personnel during crises: path for the whole 🇪🇺Eastern Flank to follow! #EasternFlankTalks

Impresions from an intensive mission to Athens this week 🇬🇷. Good to see Greece among the leaders in European defence, making remarkable progress in space and digital domains.  I look forward to the strong Greek EU Presidency in 2027 🇪🇺. #EUDefence #ProtectWhatMatters

Europe is strong when united! Today in Vilnius signing #SAFE loan agreement with Lithuania 🇱🇹. 6.375 bln € will help Lithuania develop strong defence capabalities, support 🇩🇪 brigade in Lithuania & defend Eastern Flank of the EU 🇪🇺. Happy #EuropeDay! Our Unity & Strength Day!💪

On 09.05.1950, just 5 years after the WWII, Schuman proclaimed his Declaration on European unity. In order not to have any more wars between Europeans. That’s how the foundations for our 🇪🇺 were laid. Internal peace on one side of the Iron Curtain in Europe was guaranteed. 1/2🧵

Today we sign 1st #SAFE agreement - w Poland. With 43.7 bln € 🇵🇱 starts the biggest security 'project' in Europe. We are moving fast to help 🇪🇺 Member States jointly develop & scale up their defence capabilities & production. SAFE loans will help outproduce & deter Russia.

Impressive input to the debate on the future of Europe and European Defence by Minister Wadephul - with many concrete proposals. Exactly the kind of leadership that’s needed at this time-let’s be brave in looking for answers to big questions about our future. www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/newsroom/...

Congratulations to the 🇪🇺 MEP’s for pushing forward the idea of creating European Defence Union! That’s how Europe will become more united and stronger in defence. 🔗 www.euractiv.com/news/a-cross...

As former physicist, I’m fascinated by how physics helps conquer new frontiers. Astrolight 🇱🇹 is conquering frontiers in 🛰️ space and introducing laser technologies for 🇪🇺 secure connectivity and space4defence. Today in Lithuania-good to see 🇪🇺Cassini funding working and Astrolight in the Arctic!

With SAFE, we are strengthening our defence industry all across Europe. Delivering the capabilities we need. Faster, together and at scale.

Over the next two days, Poland and Lithuania will be the first countries to sign SAFE loan agreements. These two plans alone are over €50 billion, to close critical capability gaps and keep our Eastern flank safe.

Thank you, Minister Papastergiou, for the visit to the 🇪🇺 GOVSATCOM site under construction in Athens 🇬🇷, one of the two hubs in Europe, crucial for Europe’s secure connectivity services. Greece has made a remarkable progress in the space and digital domains. #EUSpace @euspa.bsky.social

3 major shifts await Europe’s young generation, which today are difficult to predict: 📍Geopolitical outlook 📍Defence technological development 📍Space revolution Good session with young 🇬🇷 specialists and students on imminent challenges and long-term trends for European defence 🇪🇺

Pleasure to meet Cyprus President @Christodulides 🇨🇾 to discus European defence matters. One of the top issues is TEU Art.42.7 operationalisation and coordination mechanism. We need to strengthen European pillar of NATO and be ready to step in 🇪🇺. #EUDefence

Greece puts a lot of emphasis on strengthening its defence&space industry. And the EU is here to assist 🇪🇺Member States & companies. I was pleased to meet 🇬🇷 stakeholders in a roundtable & discuss ways to ramp up, speed up, produce more, to deter and be ready to defend. #EuropeDirect

With over 30 years as a parliamentarian, I’m always pleased to exchange views with MPs, this time at the Parliament of Greece 🇬🇷  We had a frank exchange on EU defence readiness & space. I called to support quick adoption of @ec.europa.eu proposals on the table.  ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Great exchange with 🇬🇷 Prime Minister Mitsotakis on defence and space, & focusing on Art. 42.7 — 🇪🇺mutual defence clause. In a volatile security situation along 🇪🇺 borders we need to prepare for a possible activation. We agreed to continue working on operationalisation of the clause.

Pleasure to meet Minister Nikos Dendias in Athens. 🇬🇷 is one of the leaders in terms of defence spending. The EU supports defence initiatives w SAFE, EDPCIs, flagship initiatives, simplification & UASL 🇺🇦. The Greek EU Presidency in 2027 will be key for moving forward with 🇪🇺 agenda.

Greece is moving fast ahead in space coupling it with its achievements in the digital domain & giving a great example of benefits for our people, security, growth and jobs. With 🇬🇷Minister @dpapastergiou.bsky.social we discussed how 🇪🇺 the EU can optimise MSs achievements & economies of scale.

Very good & important analysis and answers to my questions regarding the path towards the European Defence Union. Thanks to @stevenblockmans.bsky.social & @karstenmeijer.bsky.social for intellectual input - a new intergovernmental treaty is the best way! ⬇️ verfassungsblog.de/european-def...

Important #NB8 statement, noting: security risks linked to the potential entry of Russia’s ex combatants into the Schengen Area; Russia’s isolation on the international stage must continue; Belarus remains an accomplice in Russia’s war, hence no revision of relations. ⬇️

Normalisation of our relations with Russia can happen only if Russia will transform itself back to normality. Accountability for crimes and justice can help that transformation. @europarl.europa.eu plenary debate on ensuring accountability for Russia’s attacks against civilians in 🇺🇦⬇️

🛰️#CopernicusEU data provide key insights to guide policy & bring awareness 🌍 The European State of the Climate report sends a clear message: we must act now, as warming is exposing Europe to growing risks for people & ecosystems. climate.copernicus.eu/esotc/2025 #EUSpace #ESOTC2025

The EU and UA needs to have a strategy for a just peace. 🇺🇦 should outline what it needs in order to prevail & estimated cost, while the 🇪🇺 and the partners need to present how to finance such a plan. Thus we will ensure that Ukraine prevails in this war. 1/5🧵⬇️

Impressions from the visit to the EU external border site and Pabradė military facility in Lithuania🇱🇹, where NATO allies from both sides of the Atlantic train together to defend EU Eastern border 🇪🇺 #EUDefence #ProtectWhatMatters

Eastern Flank security and resilience - not only finances and defence, but also energy, transport&other sectors. Wrapping up my visit in Lithuania 🇱🇹-discussion with Minister of Finance Vaitiekūnas on strengthening 🇪🇺 Eastern Flank through regional cooperation. #EasternFlankTalks

Together with Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas I visited Pabradė training area where 🇱🇹🤝🇺🇸🤝🇩🇪 troops exercise together. Our efforts to strengthen 🇪🇺 defence industrial base also means strengthening European pillar of NATO & EU Eastern Flank. #EUDefence

Threats to EU are real! @EU_Commission opened new instruments to ReArm 🇪🇺 & boost #defence. @EIB is a key partner to boost finances for defence & space. With VP de Groot - this time in 🇱🇹 - discussing more synchronisation of our steps to fund defence & space projects!

No time to wait! Today, 18 Member States have received their loan agreements for #SAFE funding for completion. Next steps - finalisation of agreements and signing! A game changer for European defence industry 🇪🇺

The European Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation - #OCCAR - is a key partner for @ec.europa.eu helping Member States to jointly develop and procure key capabilities by aggregating demand and negotiating with industry. 1/2 ⬇️

A long awaited breakthrough! Green light for us to deliver to Ukraine what they need most: more weapons! My team and I will intensify our work with Minister’s Mykhailo Fedorov team to quickly help acquire more drones, ammunition and missiles. Ukraine will be a steel porcupine! 🇪🇺🤝🇺🇦

Europe can learn much from Ukraine. Why not build a Ukrainian TAIEX-style service to support 🇪🇺 & candidate countries? A European Defence Union with Ukraine could follow. Enlargement is in the interest of the EU - helps build a Europe that is free, whole, and at peace.

Great exchange today with General Clancy, Chair of the EU Military Committee. Europe needs to assume greater responsibility for its own defence. The EU Military Committee is doing a great job for us to be ready for such a responsibility!

Available numbers show that last year Russia produced 1100 cruise missiles. The EU - 300. Ballistic missiles: Russia - 900; the EU- 0. To deter Russia we must outproduce Russia. Today in @itre.europarl.europa.eu I presented how @ec.europa.eu is stepping in to help MSs and industry to ramp up🇪🇺

A very precise summary of last week’s debate with MEPs at the #SEDE Committee meeting ⬇️ euperspectives.eu/2026/04/want...

Thank you Ministers Benjamin Haddad and Alice Rufo for the insightful visit to @mbdafrance.bsky.social and @safran-group.com on my #MissileTour. European defence industry is ramping up missile production, and the EU is stepping in with financial support and simplification. #ProtectWhatMatters

Security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is deeply interlinked. Important exchange today at the 1st ever 🇪🇺-🇯🇵 Industry Dialogue with Japanese State Minister Toshiro Ino and industry leaders. Deepening EU-Japan cooperation on defence industry is essential for our security 🇪🇺🤝🇯🇵 🛡️

Today we need to have the law for the defence of Europe by Europe and for peace in Europe! To achieve #defencereadiness we must ensure that EU law is fit to take responsibility for our defence into our hands. My speech at the Conference of Commission Legal Service: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Europe is still divided into two parts: free and non-free, democratic and authoritarian. 🇪🇺 should not miss the opportunity of enlargement by 2030. It’s a strategic step towards the famous peace formula “Europe - whole, free and at peace”. My speech: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

In France, with Ministers Benjamin Haddad and Alice Rufo visiting @mbdafrance.bsky.social and @safran-group.com 🇫🇷 European defence industry has extraordinary potential to help defend Europe and Ukraine. Defence production is ramping up. 1/2

#EUDefence #ProtectWhatMatters

Today during the structured dialogue with #SEDE, I presented: ✔️@EU_Commission proposals to reduce fragmentation in 🇪🇺defence market ✔️AGILE instrument support for innovative companies ✔️next steps in supporting 🇺🇦 defence capabilities ✔️my efforts to boost 🇪🇺missile production

🛡️@ec.europa.eu supports the capabilities Europe needs for the future of #EUDefence 🇪🇺   The #EDF drives innovation, supports industry & boosts cooperation across Europe. A key pillar of the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, it helps ensure we’re ready to deter & respond. #ProtectWhatMatters

Good meeting with Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister Ararat Mirzoyan 🇦🇲 We have discussed EU defence industry support instruments and touched upon European integration agenda for Armenia in the light the forthcoming EU-Armenia Summit.

🇪🇺 @eib.org invests €30M in PLD Space’s MIURA 5 🚀 Another key step in strengthening Europe’s position in the global launch market and supporting a competitive European access-to-space ecosystem. Learn more: 🔗 www.pldspace.com/en/news/eib-...

@EU_Commission proposes a standalone Regulation to crisis-proof @EUSPA 🛰️ The renamed European Union Space Services Agency (EUSPA) will continue core operations & take on new tasks supporting Europe’s strategic autonomy & competitiveness 🇪🇺 defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/european-com...

Great to meet NATO SACEUR General Grynkewich and discuss our continued work to strengthen the European pillar of NATO. The EU can do a lot to support the development of defence readiness, industrial output, and military mobility in Europe.