The European Union will provide additional funding for drones and missiles to strengthen Ukraine’s defences, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said.

Axar.az reports that von der Leyen announced on X following a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, ahead of this week’s European Council meeting.

She said the EU would discuss Ukraine’s funding needs for the coming year and ways to mobilise additional international support. The bloc is also due to open two more clusters of chapters in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.

Von der Leyen also backed Zelensky’s call for a ceasefire to protect global food supplies and energy infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia, expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

She accused Russia of striking civilians far behind the front lines and reaffirmed her support for Ukraine’s efforts to defend its freedom.