European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Image: Getty)
The has unveiled plans for an €800billion (£663billion) boost to defence spending to win over .
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned “the stakes could not be higher and the time for action is now” as she announced her ReArm Europe strategy.
It comes amid a growing rift between the White House and Europe over the issue of defence.
In a letter to EU leaders, reported by The Telegraph, Mrs von der Leyen said: “A new era is upon us. Europe faces a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us have seen in our adult lifetime.
“Some of our fundamental assumptions are being undermined to their very core. The pace of change is disconcerting and increasingly alarming.”
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The boost comes amid a growing rift between the White House and Europe (Image: Getty)
The plan, which is set to be discussed at an EU summit on Thursday, would allow members to spend more defence without breaching the bloc’s rules on public deficits.
Mrs von der Leyen added: “This will support EU efforts to achieve a rapid and significant increase in defence spending in order to answer the unprecedented security and defence situation.”
She also thanked America for its role in Europe’s security after a fiery White House row between Mr Trump, US Vice-President JD Vance and Ukrainian President over the weekend.
The heated clash saw Mr Vance accuse Mr Zelensky of not thanking the US for its support.
She said: “We in Europe are very appreciative of the support of the United States and the role it has played in European security for decades.”
It comes after the US President paused military aid to as he seeks to pressure Kyiv into a peace deal with .