We Must Urgently Rearm Europe, - President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen

After the summit of European leaders on Ukraine in London, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Commission would soon present a plan to rearm Europe, Ukrinform reports.

President von der Leyen was one of the first to leave the door, and said that the leaders had a ‘good and frank discussion’ on what is needed for Ukraine to become a strong state.

She said that Ukraine needs ‘comprehensive security guarantees’ that will secure its economic and military position and added that ‘we must urgently rearm Europe’ and the European Commission will propose a plan to do so at the European Council meeting on 6 March, as she said ‘we really need to take a significant step forward’.

‘It is now crucial to increase investment in defence over the long term. It's for the security of the European Union and we need to ... in the geostrategic environment we live in, prepare for the worst and therefore strengthen defence,’ she said.

Von der Leyen said that Europeans need to work to ‘essentially turn Ukraine into a steel porcupine that potential invaders cannot digest’.

Asked about her message to the US, she said: ‘We are ready to stand together with (the Americans - ed.) to defend democracy and the rule of law, that you cannot invade ... and intimidate your neighbour or change borders by force.’

The day before, on 2 March, international leaders met in the capital of the United Kingdom, London, to discuss support for Ukraine. The summit was attended by the leaders of the UK, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania. Also present were the Turkish Foreign Minister, the NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council.