At a key debate in Strasbourg, attended by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, ECR Foreign Affairs Coordinator Adam Bielan emphasised the need for transatlantic partners to commit to boosting arms production, innovation and the interoperability of weapons systems.

Speaking on behalf of the European Conservatives and Reformists ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague on 24–26 June 2025, Mr Bielan called for a defence spending target of 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 in order to bring the EU on a more equal footing with the US. “Today, we face a dramatically changed security environment: from Russia’s never-ending bloodthirst in Ukraine to the escalating crisis in the Middle East and a renewed axis of autocracies”, Bielan said.

“For us on NATO’s Eastern flank, we know too well that NATO is and should remain the irreplaceable shield of our freedom and our security, as well as the strongest deterrent against those who seek to undermine peace in our region.”

Bielan continued:

“The ECR Group will always stand with Ukraine and NATO, and uphold the values that define the transatlantic alliance.

“Ukraine continues to fight not only for its sovereignty but for the rules-based international order that has been protecting Europe for decades.

“Victory for Ukraine must remain NATO’s strategic objective.”