On 4 October, the project coordinator engaged in an exchange of ideas with Commissioner-designate Kubilius and members of his transition team. Against the backdrop of Russia’s military gains on the battlefield in Ukraine, the aggressor’s growing capacity to produce key weapons systems, and President Putin’s announcement of a review of his country’s nuclear doctrine, the discussion revolved around aspects of the Commissioner-designate’s mission letter, in particular how the EU could prepare for “the most extreme military contingencies” that the EU member states and candidate countries might face. Mr Kubilius and Mr Blockmans paid specific attention to the need to deliver “full-spectrum” European defence capabilities based on joint investments.