Ukraine’s Zelenskyy calls for Europe’s help in buying artillery shells [Video]

European Union leaders said on Thursday that they will continue to support Ukraine, but they did not immediately endorse a call by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to approve a package of at least five billion euros ($7.8 billion Cdn) for artillery purchases.

“We need funds for artillery shells and would really appreciate Europe’s support … as soon as possible,” Zelenskyy told the EU leaders meeting in Brussels via video link.

Arriving at the summit in Brussels, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had also called on leaders to match words of support for Kyiv with deeds, as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes ahead with his efforts to end the war, including through a rapprochement with Russia.

“The stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are behind the negotiation table,” Kallas said of the Ukrainians.

In the statement approved by all leaders at the meeting — apart from …