Rearming Europe and assisting Ukraine: Von der Leyen presenting EUR 800B plan in Brussels

This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today in Brussels during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Council President António Costa, held ahead of the Special European Council, a Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We want peace through strength. This is the reason why I am presenting today to the leaders the ReArm Europe plan. The ReArm Europe plan provides up to €800 billion for defense investment. It gives the member states fiscal space to invest in defense and possibility to invest in the Ukrainian defense industry or to procure military capabilities that will go right away to Ukraine. So, it is to the benefit of rearming Europe, rearming the EU and also arming Ukraine in its existential fight for its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Von der Leyen stated.

She noted that Europe is currently at a watershed moment, and since Ukraine is part of the European family, this moment is also a turning point for Ukraine.

According to the President of the European Commission, Europe now faces a clear and imminent threat.

"Europe has be able to defend itself and we have to put Ukraine in a position to protect itself and push for a lasting and just peace," she emphasized.

President of the European Council, António Costa, warmly welcomed President Volodymyr Zelensky and noted that he is always expected and always welcome in Brussels.

He stated that the European Council, which held a strategic discussion a month ago on strengthening European defense and aid for Ukraine, must now make concrete decisions and achieve results. Costa thanked the European Commission for drafting proposals that enable EU leaders to strengthen European defense capabilities and allow member states to allocate more and better resources to defense.

"Of course, security and defense of Europe are not separated from Ukraine's security and defense. Stronger European defense boosts Ukrainian defense, and stronger capacity for Ukrainian defense is also very important to boost our own defense. That is why we are here to support Ukraine and to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace," said the President of the European Council.

As previously reported, on March 6, Special European Council is taking place in Brussels, where heads of state and government of EU countries are discussing ways to strengthen European defense and increase aid to Ukraine, in light of statements and actions from the U.S. administration regarding a reduced role in European security and military support for Ukraine.