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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Ukraine must be put in a position of strength by providing it with defensive capabilities that will transform it into a “steel porcupine.”
She made this statement following the summit in London.
Von der Leyen emphasized the need for broad security guarantees for Ukraine.
“We must put Ukraine in a position of strength so that it has the means to strengthen and defend itself. This is essentially about turning Ukraine into a steel porcupine, indigestible for potential invaders,” she said.
“That’s why the focus is not only on military supplies but also on ensuring the security of the energy system and making Ukraine strong and resilient over time,” the European Commission president added.
The second key topic of discussions in London, according to her, was the urgent need for Europe’s rearmament.
“We really need to take significant steps,” von der Leyen said.
“It is now crucial to increase defense investments over the long term. This is essential for the security of the European Union. And we need to (…) prepare for the worst,” she stated.
It is expected that the European Commission president will present a new plan on March 6, during an emergency EU summit in Brussels, aimed at sharply increasing defense spending across all 27 member states. According to her, the plan will consist of three pillars: easing fiscal rules to allow for greater public funding, mobilizing joint EU funds, and expanding the role of the European Investment Bank.
Earlier, it was reported that the UK will allocate £1.6 billion for Ukraine to purchase air defense missiles. The UK also confirmed its readiness to deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine, providing “boots on the ground and aircraft in the air.”
Additionally, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed confidence that it is possible to bring the U.S. back into negotiations despite tensions with Zelenskyy.
Read also: London Summit on Ukraine: Key Topics on the Agenda and During the Meeting
