Josep Borrell told EU diplomats a decision is needed in days and not weeks, and the bloc must do whatever it takes to help Ukraine, the people said.
Russian troops have been regrouping away from Kyiv as Moscow shifts its war campaign to the eastern Donbas region. Russia has suffered a series of setbacks in the north, stymied by fierce Ukrainian resistance on the ground and the adroit use of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles supplied by NATO member states.
What happens in the east in the coming weeks will be crucial to the outcome of the war. With Moscow showing little sign of being serious about broader peace talks, Ukraine only has a small window to prepare and receive the weapons it needs, one of the people said.
The majority of EU governments committed to examining the weapons requests -- which include tanks and multiple launch rocket systems -- but have yet to indicate a firm time frame and which specific arms they might send, the person said. The topic will be discussed by foreign affairs ministers meeting in Luxembourg later on Monday.
Ahead of the meeting, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters that Ukraine needed more military support, including heavy weapons. “Now is not the time for excuses, now is the time for creativity and pragmatism,” she said.
The U.K. announced last week it would provide Ukraine with some of those weapons, including anti-ship missiles.
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