But perhaps the biggest challenge for the EU will be building a united stance at a moment when it’s fractured, since much of the bloc’s actions requires unanimous support. Hungary is threatening to veto part of the summit statement on Ukraine, as is Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Facing the possibility of a fundamental disengagement under US President Donald Trump, European Union leaders opened a day of emergency summit talks on Thursday to beef up their own military defences and make sure Ukraine will still be properly protected by its allies.

Leaders from all 27 European Union nations, plus Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, descended on Brussels for an emergency summit on how best to support beleaguered Ukraine and ramp up the continent's defense.