EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell argues that Europe is now in danger. He made the corresponding statement on Wednesday at a conference in Madrid, TASS News Agency reports.

“Today, no one doubts this: Europe is in danger,” the head of EU diplomacy said, calling the current situation around Ukraine the most serious security crisis in Europe “since the Second World War.” He advocated a coordinated increase in defense spending by member countries of the community. During the conference, the head of EU diplomacy also clarified that the issue of creating a joint European army in the near future is not being considered.

Speaking to reporters after the conference, Borrell did not comment on Russia’s testing of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, but argued that “Russia is clearly a threat at the moment, it has invaded [another] country – Ukraine.” “We are helping Ukraine as much as we can,” he added. “We are looking for diplomatic solutions to the conflict.”

“We need to push for a ceasefire and negotiations that will allow us to achieve peace again,” Borrell said. “But until [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is ready for this, we must continue to support Ukraine to defend itself.”