EU leaders vow to continue backing Ukraine, but make no concrete pledges

European Union leaders convened in Brussels for a two-day summit to deliberate on strengthening defense support for Ukraine.

However, the summit concluded without a concrete financial commitment.

During the summit held on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the EU leaders via video, urging them to maintain pressure on Russia through sanctions and to provide additional military aid.

However, the EU leaders kept a cautious approach and didn't give a solid answer regarding Zelenskyy's appeal for approximately 5.4 billion U.S. dollars for artillery shells.

EU foreign policy chief and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas had previously proposed a 43.4 billion-dollar military aid package for Ukraine, but the plan has faced opposition from several member states.

Reaching consensus was further complicated by Hungary's refusal to endorse the summit's joint statement supporting Ukraine.