European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that Europe urgently needs to rearm, stressing that member states must be given the fiscal space to significantly increase defence spending.

Von der Leyen made the statement on Sunday following a meeting in London on support for Ukraine.

She emphasised that Europe must also demonstrate to the United States that it is prepared to defend democracy.

“After a long period of underinvestment, it is now of utmost importance to increase defence investment for a sustained period.

“Member states need greater fiscal flexibility to enable a surge in defence spending,” she said.

Europe must urgently rearm – European Commission boss