European Union leaders convened in Brussels on Thursday to deliberate on additional support for Ukraine, alongside discussions on strengthening the bloc’s economic competitiveness.
The agenda also includes talks on Israel’s renewed military operations in Gaza and negotiations on the EU’s next long-term budget. While no major decisions are expected, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas remains hopeful that Ukraine will secure a commitment for the procurement of 2 million rounds of artillery ammunition to bolster its defense against Russia.
Kallas has struggled in recent weeks to gain sufficient backing for a broader military aid package worth between 20 billion and 40 billion euros.
The next EU summit is scheduled for June, which could mark the final high-level meeting for outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with Friedrich Merz expected to represent Berlin following last month’s parliamentary elections.
