I continue engaging with defence industry by visiting key facilities across Europe. In Italy, I'm stressing Europe's need to remain strong & defence-ready — also as a long-term priority. @ec.europa.eu aids 🇮🇹 & wider 🇪🇺 defence sectors in ramping-up their capabilities.

Today in Germany 🇩🇪 engaging in detailed discussions with #BMVg_Bundeswehr & 🇪🇺 missiles producers - Diehl Defence and MBDA Deutschland Our immeadte & longterm goal - 🇪🇺 #DefenceReadiness & support for Ukraine 🇺🇦 Ramp-up is possible & is happening, but more efforts needed at the EU & national level

#MissileTour 🇪🇺 🇩🇪 #ProtectWhatMatters

Impressions from my visit to Berlin - I met Federal Minister Katherina Reiche, spoke at #europe20xx Conference on the future of European Defence, and exchanged views with prominent 🇩🇪 experts on defence & Europe. Tomorrow I am again in Germany on a #MissileTour

My informal take on European competitiveness: EU rules matter, but countries like Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, and the Netherlands lead globally, while other EU MSs lag behind. National reforms matter the most. 🔗⬇️ andriuskubilius.lt/en/on-europe...

Great meeting with Federal Minister Katharina Reiche 🇩🇪 We have same objectives - to bring more innovative & disruptive defence start-ups/scale-ups to the market & militaries. By better connecting civil & defence sectors & working on reskilling, 🇪🇺 will develop ecosystem for surge in defence.

When we strengthen European defence capabilities as EU Member States, we strengthen at the same time capabilities of NATO. Strong European pillar of NATO is also beneficial for our Transatlantic relations. #europe20xx Conference in Berlin 🇩🇪⬇️ 📹 audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/vid...

Today at the European House 🇩🇪 - engaging discussion w prominent experts #MarioBaumann, #ChristianCalliess, #PiaFuhrhop, #StefanMair, #NicoLange, #LinnSelle, #FundaTekin on defence industry, Institutional #DefenceReadiness, European pillar of NATO & European Security Council.

It's absolutely clear WHY we need to strengthen Europe. What clarity we need today is HOW to make Europe stronger. Keynote at #NewEconomyForum event “Ideas to Strengthen the Union” ↓ ec.europa.eu/commission/p... #EUDefence #DefenceReadiness

Impressive 1st defence industry exhibition in Belgium 🇧🇪 #BEDEX, hosting also @ec.europa.eu stand. The EU 🇪🇺 together w Member States, NATO & European defence industry supports production ramp-up, innovation & learning from Ukraine. #EUDefence #ProtectWhatMatters

Powerful Resolution “Remain transatlantic, become more European” on European defence from the #CDU 38th Party Congress on Feb 20-21, 2026. 1/3 🧵⬇️ www.cdu.de/bfa-starkes-...

Had a good working meeting with Defence Minister Suren Papikyan about a future of Armenia's coperation with European defence industry. Partnerships and engagement - way to address global challenges.

The US would not be stronger if they had 50 defence markets & industries on the level of each state. In Europe, fragmentation into 27 defence markets & industries also does not bring strength to us. We must be ambitious for our defence: on defragmentation, on scale, on speed.

Until now we had a very limited experience of success in developing joint pan-European projects in defence. Much less than in the development of pan-European space projects. That's why @ec.europa.eu proposed four flagships in our #DefenceReadiness Roadmap last October.

While developing our defence capabilities, with new funds & new procurement of new weapons, we need also overcome fragmentation. That’s why we must also concentrate our efforts on creating a more integrated European Market in defence with strengthened security of supply.

A European defence market is a big market, which means big demand, big investments and big production. That is why our debate on a more integrated European market in defence is not a theoretical debate, it’s a very practical challenge. #EUDefence

We must unite for European defence.  We need defragmentation, consolidation, and scale.  And we need to have more experience of success in developing pan-European defence projects. #DefenceReadiness 🇪🇺 @europarl.europa.eu debate ⬇️ ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

I decided to start my #MissileTour in Poland because 🇵🇱 is key for the future of Europe’s defence, for the future of  Europe’s defence industry and for missiles production in Europe, and for Ukraine. #MissileTour 🇵🇱🇪🇺 #ProtectWhatMatters

🇪🇺 is steadily building a true #EuropeanDefenceUnion. At the EU envoys conference w/HRVP @kajakallas.bsky.social & NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the next steps to make NATO’s European pillar stronger. We need a paradigm & mind shift, investments, innovations, industrial production & speed!

At 🇵🇱 #MESKO we saw clear evidence of what 🇪🇺 & 🇵🇱 defence industry can deliver. There is a high demand for air defence and anti-ballistic defence in Europe. Poland has all the capabilities to move towards that, to serve the Polish needs, but also the needs of Europe. #MissileTour 🇪🇺🇵🇱 #EUDefence

🇪🇺#SAFE loans are there to boost our defence industry. 🇵🇱 Poland is the biggest beneficiary of SAFE. With 43.7 billion euro for 127 projects. For Polish industry, workers, jobs in Poland & boosting 🇵🇱 economy. #MissileTour #ProtectWhatMatters

NATO SG Mark Rutte said: Europe needs a "400% increase in air and missile" defence. After the Iranian crisis - it became even more urgent for us in Europe to ramp up production of air-defence and anti-ballistic missiles. #MissileTour 🇪🇺🇵🇱 #ProtectWhatMatters

Increasing demand for air-defence in the EU is an opportunity for European defence industry. #PGZ #MESKO_SA is already leading in MANPAD production. During the #MissileTour we investigate what is needed to ramp up, speed up & expand missile production in the EU. #ProtectWhatMatters @ec.europa.eu

Start of my #MissileTour- in Poland, key missile producer in the EU. With DPM Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz —on how to ramp up missile production in the EU, for & with Ukraine 🇺🇦, how #SAFE will boost 🇵🇱economy and defence industry. Press conference 🔗⬇️ audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/vid...

#EUDefence #ProtectWhatMatters @ec.europa.eu

I had a warm meeting with leader of Democratic Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The future of a democratic Belarus is bound to the European Union, to stability and long-term peace in our region, and to the future of prospering democracies in our Eastern neighbourhood.

We must increase support to Ukraine to ensure its military superiority. This requires more funding, but the cost of a Russian victory would be far higher. Important discussion on #Corisk #NUPI findings on the costs for Europe under two scenarios - Ukraine wins; or Russia wins.

Thank you MEP Sergey Lagodinsky & @boell.de for organising very meaningful discussion on European Security Council: Cockpit for the EU? Pleased to see discussions gaining momentum. We need long term transformation of European defence, which requires a shift in our political mindset.

Productive dialogue with industry at the ammunition roundtable. The European industry is committed to continue supporting Ukraine 🇺🇦 by ramping up production. 🇪🇺 @ec.europa.eu is ready to help the industry address bottlenecks and increase production capacity. #EUDefence

Great discussion on European Security Council and future of European defence at #CEPSLab2026 w President Sauli Niinistö, who leads special @ceps.eu Task Force on the European pillar for NATO. Glad to see we have similar views on most of the ideas!

Good discussion with Minister Sakari Puisto 🇫🇮 on space & defence policies, and the strategic importance of the Arctic region. Finland has significant capabilities on space operations, situational awareness, and Earth observation, particularly in the Arctic.

Impressive day at #GOVSATCOM 2026 conference together with more than 1500 participants. In digital society, secure satellite connectivity is a vital, strategic resource. Thank you, Luxembourg 🇱🇺 and Minister Backes, for being at the forefront of our 🇪🇺 space efforts.

At the site visit to SES Satellites 🇱🇺 great to meet such a dedicated and innovative centre building on a strong legacy of 🇪🇺 satellite operations. With upcoming IRIS², GovSat-2, multi-orbit systems & quantum-secure comms we will expand & strengthen 🇪🇺 space capabilities!

The communities on our Eastern border with Russia, Belarus & Ukraine help keep Europe safe. With EastInvest we provide them with €20 bn of vital investment. To harness their potential and create new jobs & opportunities. For our shared prosperity ↓ link.europa.eu/7VKGrG

The Baltic States are facing a multitude of challenges. We must support these regions and show our solidarity. With our Eastern border regions strategy, we're investing in their strength. Because this is where our Union's security, resilience and stability lies.

Excellent meeting with 🇱🇺 Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Minister Elisabeth Margue to discuss European cooperation on defence and space 🇪🇺 Luxembourg has a crucial role to play, especially in the space domain. Space is about sovereignty & resilience, and boosting our economy.

🇱🇺 Zu Lëtzebuerg hat ech eng Audienz beim S.K.H. dem Groussherzog Guillaume – e staarkt Zeeche vum Engagement vu Lëtzebuerg fir den europäesche Projet, besonnesch am Beräich Sécherheet, Verdeedegung a Weltraumkooperatioun 🇪🇺

Thank you, Minister Yuriko Backes, for your warm welcome! 🇱🇺 is important contributor to European #DefenceReadiness, including through its strong space industry. Good exchange on how to increase European defence capabilities, reinforce our defence industry & support for 🇺🇦

Without secure connectivity there is no defence. #GOVSATCOM is European solidarity in practice. Thanks to the EU🇪🇺, Member States with the capacity for encrypted satellite communications now pool that capacity to keep us safe. Next - expanding GOVSATCOM services & delivering on #IRIS²🇪🇺

Inspired by the resilience of Ukrainians and grateful for your heroic fight for European values, we #StandWithUkraine 🇪🇺 Ukraine support loan of €90 bln will help build 🇺🇦 strength of a steel porcupine against Russian aggression. Ukraine’s security means Europe’s security!

The Ukrainians have developed a battle tested defence industrial base and will be able to defend themselves. 🇺🇦 has an enormous capacity of €50bln output. That’s 50x increase between 2022-2025. If we want to ramp-up — let's learn from Ukraine & its heroes.

Tonight, we adorn our European institutions with the colours of Ukraine. Two colours, carrying the spirit of courage. 
Two colours, burning with resistance. Four years into Russia’s full-scale war, these colours are shining brighter than ever Slava Ukraini.

By helping Ukraine, we help ourselves. Ukraine is holding the line for European values! Thank you Minister Sybiha for frank discussion on how we can assist in your fight. European defence readiness begins with Ukraine and in Ukraine.

Mission in Ukraine - the Land of Heroes. Meeting with Verhovna Rada Speaker Stefanchuk and honorable MPs. 🇪🇺 is the biggest supporter of 🇺🇦. We will support your fight, ramping up of 🇺🇦 defence capabilities, your economy&resilience of your energy infrastructure, also through €90 bln support loan.

There’s no #DefenceReadiness without Spain. 🇪🇸 has an important defence & space industry, is a European space leader, major contributor to #Govsatcom🇪🇺 Spain has shown strong support to Ukraine 🇺🇦 all during the war.  Remarks at the New Economy Forum ↓ ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Pleased to visit #SatCen and witness its robust operational culture & end-to-end capabilities 🇪🇺 We need to build on proven track record of the SatCen. Intelligence is a strategic enabler for Defence Readiness and strategic autonomy. Ready to pool efforts for #EOGS capabilities for MSs needs.

🇪🇸 En España, me ha recibido en audiencia S.M. el Rey D. Felipe VI, señal del compromiso institucional de España con el proyecto europeo.

I conclude my day in Madrid with strategic discussion with Minister @jmalbares.bsky.social With European initiatives we need to respond to the concerns of European citizens. We need to increase a credible deterance, military support to Ukraine and strengthen the European capabilities in NATO.

Happy to be at the Spanish Parliament and explain why we need to be quick ramping up #EuropeanDefenceReadiness With a support of 🇪🇺&🇪🇸 industry we need to replenish our stocks, review institutional readiness, work on strengthening our independence. Stronger Europe will make stronger #NATO

Starting my day in Madrid 🇪🇸 with Minister of Defence Margarita Robles. It is good to hear Spain's strong commitment to increase defence spending and support for Ukraine. We should continue building a strong European NATO pillar and competitive European defence industry.