Andrius Kubilius

Kubilius was born in Vilnius. After graduation from the 22nd secondary school in Vilnius, Kubilius was accepted to Vilnius University and studied in the Faculty of Physics until 1979. He continued his academic career and postgraduate studies at Vilnius University from 1981 to 1984. ==Career in Lithuanian politics==

Early career in Warsaw, 29 April 2009 Kubilius became a member of the pro-independence Sąjūdis movement, who favoured separation from the Soviet Union. He later became the Executive Secretary of the Sąjūdis Council. Soon after the re-establishment of Lithuania's independence, Kubilius was elected to the Seimas (parliament). Since then Kubilius has been an active figure in Lithuanian politics. He became a member of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats in 1993. The move was endorsed by Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar and Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins, who both supported cooperation in the Baltic Assembly on the issue. Kubilius was already known as a sharp critic of the Russian regime; Homeland Union promised to combat dependence on Russian energy and enact needed economic reforms. Following the election Kubilius was, as expected, nominated as the Homeland Union's candidate for Prime Minister. The coalition agreement was signed on 17 November. On 27 November 2008 Kubilius was officially appointed as Prime Minister of Lithuania forming the second Kubilius cabinet. The cabinet received 89 votes in favour, 27 against, and 16 abstentions in the confidence vote in the Seimas. After taking office, he "cut public spending by 30%, slashed pensions by 11% and even took a pay cut of 45% himself". He followed a policy of diversifying Lithuania's energy supplies away from Russia including filing a lawsuit against Gazprom, then Lithuania's sole supplier of natural gas, seeking over €1 billion in damages and depriving the Russian company of control over Lithuanian infrastructure. He was active in seeking financial compensation from Russia for the illegal Soviet occupation of Lithuania, labeling the issue a priority upon taking office in 2008. In 2011, the issue continued to be a priority with his foreign minister labeling it "ridiculous to talk with Russia without resolving issues related to the occupation." He instituted a commission on 23 May 2012 to move the issue forward. He also called for the issue of financial compensation from Russia to be included as a condition of EU-Russia relations. His strong stance towards the Russian regime resulted in a freeze of relations between Lithuania and Moscow. Kubilius is considered by some as being the best Prime Minister in Lithuania's modern history. Among his accomplishments were reining in public expenditures, preparation to join the Eurozone, and reform of the energy sector. According to The Economist, "the election came too early for Mr. Kubilius to benefit from a recovery from the painful austerity measures that he imposed when he realised that Lithuania risked becoming the Baltic Greece." == European Union career ==

Member of the European Parliament, 2019–2024 In 2019, Kubilius was elected a Member of the European Parliament for Homeland Union and served as a member of the European People's Party Group. He served on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. In addition to his committee assignments, Kubilius was part of the parliament's delegations to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee. In November 2021, Kubilius joined a group of seven Members of the European Parliament led by Raphaël Glucksmann to Taiwan to send a strong signal in support of the self-ruling island, despite a threat of retaliation from China. Standing rapporteur on Russia In 2020, he was appointed the parliament's standing rapporteur on relations with Russia. In this role, he was responsible for forming the European Parliament's position on the subject matter. Accepting the role, Kubilius stated, "My critical view of the Kremlin regime was formed long ago, and it is unchanging. I have made no effort to conceal it while at the European Parliament.” He praised Turkey for "proving thrice [in Syria, Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh] that the Kremlin fears the fist." On the 12th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2020, Kubilius noted Russia's "continued provocations" in Georgia stating that they "grossly violate international law". He led the call by the European People's Party for sanctions against all those responsible for Russia's poisoning of Alexei Navalny. European Commission, 2024–present In July 2024, Kubilius was nominated by the Lithuanian government to be his country's EU commissioner. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda gave his approval on 22 August. His nomination was approved by the Seimas in 3 September with Kubilius eyeing portfolios related to defence, security, and EU enlargement as ideal for Lithuania given Europe's security crisis. In September, President von der Leyen allocated the Defence and Space portfolio to Kubilius. He is the first to hold the post. The creation of the post indicated that security had become a key item on the EU's agenda. His nomination was approved by the European Parliament on 7 November allowing him to take the office. Upon taking office he stated that his priority would be strengthening the bloc's defence military deterrence capabilities. ==Personal life==

Kubilius is married to Rasa Kubilienė, a violinist in the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra; the couple have two sons: Andrius Kubilius and Vytautas Kubilius, and three grandchildren. In addition to his native Lithuanian, Kubilius also speaks English and Russian. ==References==