We must urgently arm Europe, we truly must all stand at the level of the vote - said the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Sunday after the summit in London. She added that the EC will present a peculiar plan on this substance next Thursday.
The Head of the Commission took part in a summit on Sunday Ukraine and security, organized in London by UK Prime Minister Keira Starmer with the participation of leaders of respective European countries, including the president of Ukraine, and, among others, the Prime Minister of Canada. Poland was represented by Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the meeting.
"We must prepare for the worst."
Following the talks, the EC president assessed that they were "good and sincere" and afraid what should be done to strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position. She stressed that Kiev needs "complementary safety guarantees", strengthening the country's economical and military position. "We must strengthen Ukraine's position and supply it with the means to defend itself: from ensuring the economical endurance of Ukraine, through securing its energy system, to building military resilience" - said the head of the EC.
Von der Leyen stressed that European countries must aid Ukraine effectively deter any possible invader. The point is to turn Ukraine into a "tank porcupine," which will be so armed that it will become "uneatable" for possible aggressors - she said.
"A long-term increase in defence investment is highly important. This is about the safety of the European Union. In the geostrategic environment in which we live, we request to prepare for the worst and thus strengthen the defence" - noted the head of the EC.
Guidelines for associate States
The politician added that the plan, which she intends to present at the peculiar European Council on Thursday, will include both guidelines for associate States, including on the usage of the flexibility of EU fiscal rules to let countries to increase defence spending without having to break taxation rules and on the financing of joint EU defence projects. This includes investments in the European air defence strategy shield, which was requested by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
When asked about the message to the U.S. administration, von der Leyen said, "We are ready to defend democracy and the principles by which we cannot invade neighbours or change borders by force."
The talks included president Volodymyr Zelenski, president Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Romania and the Turkish abroad Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Head of the European Council Antonio Costa, were besides present.
PAP
