Dramatic call with Ukraine leader prompted historic EU move to provide arms

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy talks during an interview with Reuters after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 1, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Early on Saturday morning, some 48 hours after Russian military forces had pushed into his country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy put in a call from Kyiv to Brussels with a plea for military assistance.

During the Feb. 26 phone call with the head of the European Council, the body that represents the European Union’s member states, Zelenskiy provided an update on Russia’s advance. He said he was proud of his country’s efforts to stem the blitz so far but that he was worried about a dwindling supply of arms, a senior European Union official told Reuters.