Kubilius: Russian strike on European weapons plant would trigger NATO Article 5

Brussels' position on potential airspace incursions

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius expressed the view that any Russian shelling of a European arms manufacturer should be regarded as an attack on the entire Alliance. According to him, such an incident would automatically trigger the collective defence mechanism.

“Якщо Росія завдасть удару по наших заводах на європейській території, це підпадатиме під дію статті 5” (If Russia strikes our factories on European territory, it will fall under the application of Article 5), Kubilius emphasised.

Context and details of the statement

These comments came against the backdrop of a series of suspicious incidents at production facilities manufacturing weapons across Europe. Experts have linked some of these cases to the activities of Russian intelligence services or the military.

A commissioner's aide, who requested anonymity, clarified that Kubilius's remarks specifically referred to scenarios of aerial bombing or missile strikes on factory premises.

Reaction from the diplomatic community

Politico notes that such a position from Brussels could cause alarm among NATO members. The reasons are the sensitivity of discussions regarding the limits of applying Article 5 and the fact that the European Union traditionally plays a non-military role, unlike the North Atlantic Alliance.

One NATO diplomat, commenting on the situation, noted: “Коли Кубілюс стане генеральним секретарем НАТО, він, можливо, зможе визначати, що саме є приводом для застосування статті 5, а що ні” (When Kubilius becomes NATO Secretary-General, he may be able to determine exactly what constitutes grounds for applying Article 5 and what does not).