EU leaders urged to back Ukraine with weapons boost

FILE PHOTO: High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius present the white paper on the future of European defence, in Brussels, Belgium March 19, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged EU leaders on Thursday to pledge 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) for artillery shells for Ukraine to strengthen its hand in peace talks, amid divergences over how to bolster Kyiv and the EU's own military capabilities.

Arriving at an EU summit in Brussels, Kallas 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.