Amid growing concerns that diminishing support from the West will allow Russia to gain a decisive upper hand in its conflict with Ukraine, the leaders of Germany, France and Poland have today pledged to provide more weapons for Kyiv and step up production of military equipment.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for a hastily arranged summit of the so-called "Weimar Triangle" of the three countries.
Mr Scholz told a news conference after the meeting that he had discussed what support was needed with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday.
"He knows that he can rely on us, and we are renewing this signal for support for Kyiv from here today," he said.
"But a crystal-clear signal also goes to Moscow - the Russian president should know that we won't let up in our support for Ukraine."
The German leader said that "starting immediately, we will procure even more weapons for Ukraine, on the overall world market".
"Secondly, the production of military equipment will be expanded, including though co-operation with partners in Ukraine," Mr Scholz added.
And, he said, a new "coalition for long-range rocket artillery" will be set up.
Mr Scholz gave no details, and the three leaders took no questions.
Mr Macron reaffirmed France's support for a Czech-initiated plan to buy ammunition and shells outside the European Union, but also gave no details.
"We want to spend our money, we want to help in every possible way ... here and now, so that the situation of Ukraine in the coming weeks and months gets better, not worse," Mr Tusk added.
Sky's Berlin producer Florian Neuhof said: "Outgunned on the battlefield, Ukraine is in desperate need for more artillery ammunition.
"With further US military aid stalled by Congress, it is up to Europe to make up for the shortfall.
"Ammunition shortages have led to Ukrainian reversals and fears that Russia could make large territorial gains."
