Speaking after meeting Andrius Kubilius in Warsaw, Kosiniak-Kamysz told a press conference that Poland would seek more investment in Europe’s defence industry, more secure supply chains and higher production capacity.
He criticised the budget proposal put forward by Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, calling it "unacceptable for Poland" because it gave too little room to security and defence.
He said he understood that "neutral Ireland, far away on an island, might not feel the threat," but that the presidency’s role was to listen to those who do.
"You cannot cut spending where the threat is greatest," he added.
The two officials also discussed SAFE, an EU programme that offers low-interest loans to member states to finance rearmament.
Kubilius said about EUR 20 billion would be used in the next stage to strengthen European countries’ defences, including Poland’s.
His talks with Kosiniak-Kamysz touched on a possible increase in the country's allocation, with Kosiniak-Kamysz saying that not all participants, such as Hungary, would use their full share.
According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland's priorities were low-cost long-range precision weapons, drones and counter-drone systems, in addition to artificial intelligence.
The meeting followed Monday's presentation of a "theory of victory" by Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s top commander in Europe, which aims to deter Russia and ensure that any attack on the alliance would fail.
Kubilius told reporters the strategy’s implementation was closely linked to Poland's role, and called the country an example for others in how it uses SAFE money.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said he favoured moving arms and ammunition production across Europe onto a "war footing," arguing that Russia already operates this way and the continent "cannot remain asleep."
"There is no longer a time of peace, there is a time of preparing to defend our civilisation," he told reporters.
Kubilius, the EU's commissioner for defence and space since 2024, was in the Polish capital for the two-day Warsaw Security Forum, a high-profile gathering of some 2,500 leaders from 90 countries.
(ał/gs)
Source: PAP