“We are living in the most momentous and dangerous of times. I do not need to describe the grave nature of the threats that we face. Or the devastating consequences that we will have to endure if those threats would come to pass”. Heavy words, serious tone. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (pictured), presented today in Brussels the plan called ReArm Europe, worth 800 billion in armaments spending. The proposal will be up for discussion at the European Council on Thursday. “The question is no longer whether Europe’s security is threatened in a very real way. Or whether Europe should shoulder more of the responsibility for its own security. In truth, we have long known the answers to those questions. The real question in front of us is whether Europe is prepared to act as decisively as the situation dictates”. “In the various meetings in the last few weeks – most recently two days ago in London – the answer from European capitals has been as resounding as it is clear. We are in an era of rearmament. And Europe is ready to massively boost its defence spending. Both, to respond to the short-term urgency to act and to support Ukraine but also to address the long-term need to take on much more responsibility for our own European security”. Von der Leyen explained that she wrote a letter to the leaders ahead of the European Council on 6 March.