However they disagreed on the larger image of a grand push for European financing of weapons to Ukraine, for instance by means of protection bonds. The potential of EU joint bonds is backed by France, Estonia, Poland and others however strongly opposed by the extra frugal nations, equivalent to Germany, The Netherlands and Austria.
The dialogue within the room among the many 27 European Union leaders on Thursday mirrored these divisions, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and The Netherlands’ Mark Rutte reiterating their opposition, two EU diplomats who have been granted anonymity to talk freely of the dialogue, advised POLITICO.
“Sadly, the usage of artillery on the frontline by our troopers is humiliating for Europe within the sense that Europe can present extra,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in a video name with European leaders at their summit.
In the meantime, Russia on Wednesday mentioned it could double down on the conflict in Ukraine by including two new armies by the tip of the yr.
EU leaders requested the European Fee to “discover all choices for mobilising funding and report again by June” in language pushed by the Baltics, Poland and Greece.
“The talk is firstly and never at its finish,” European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned on Thursday night.
Hans von der Burchard, Clea Caulcutt and Nicholas Vinocur contributed reporting.