But they disagreed on the bigger picture of a grand push for European financing of weapons to Ukraine, for example through defense bonds. The possibility of EU joint bonds is backed by France, Estonia, Poland and others but strongly opposed by the more frugal countries, such as Germany, The Netherlands and Austria.
The discussion in the room among the 27 European Union leaders on Thursday reflected these divisions, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and The Netherlands’ Mark Rutte reiterating their opposition, two EU diplomats who were granted anonymity to speak freely of the discussion, told POLITICO.
“Unfortunately, the use of artillery at the frontline by our soldiers is humiliating for Europe in the sense that Europe can provide more,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video call with European leaders at their summit.
Meanwhile, Russia on Wednesday said it would double down on the war in Ukraine by adding two new armies by the end of the year.
EU leaders asked the European Commission to “explore all options for mobilising funding and report back by June” in language pushed by the Baltics, Poland and Greece.
“The debate is at the beginning and not at its end,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday evening.
Hans von der Burchard, Clea Caulcutt and Nicholas Vinocur contributed reporting.