(L-R) Robertas Kaunas, Lithuanian Minister of Defence; Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg Minister of Defence;
Credit: MAE
On Tuesday 12 May 2026, Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, participated in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), in its “Defence” configuration, in Brussels.
According to Luxembourg’s Directorate of Defence, the Council began with the presentation of the conclusions of the EU’s comprehensive threat analysis. Subsequently, the EU Ministers of Defence, together with their Ukrainian counterpart Mykhailo Fedorov, participating via videoconference, and NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska, held an exchange of views on the European Union’s military support for Ukraine.
Following the adoption of the EU support loan for Ukraine amounting to €90 billion, including €60 billion for military support and Ukrainian defence industrial capabilities, the Ministers of Defence discussed its implementation. EU-Ukraine defence industrial cooperation was also discussed, as well as the strengthening of the Ukrainian armed forces through the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).
The Council also examined the situation in the Middle East and its implications for European defence and security. For Luxembourg, the situation requires a coordinated and well-calibrated response in order to support de-escalation efforts and mitigate the broader repercussions for EU security and resilience.
During the discussion on EU defence preparedness, the ministers reviewed the implementation of the various EU initiatives aimed at strengthening the defence industry, European innovation and joint procurement within the context of the “Defence Readiness Omnibus” legislative package, as well as military mobility.
On the sidelines of the FAC, Minister Backes participated in the meeting of the Steering Board of the European Defence Agency (EDA). During her intervention, Minister Backes stressed the central role of research, technology and innovation within the Agency. “Over the past two years, Luxembourg has been the EU’s largest contributor to EDA activities related to research and technology. We believe that development in this field strengthens long-term capability preparedness and enables Europe to anticipate, rather than follow, global developments in defence technologies,” stressed Minister Backes.
On the sidelines of the FAC, Minister Backes held an initial meeting with her counterpart Robertas Kaunas, Minister of Defence of Lithuania, to discuss bilateral defence cooperation, EU defence priorities, as well as NATO’s deterrence and defence posture on the eastern flank.
SM
