'You stayed with us': Ukraine grateful for support as EU leaders hold 'watershed' talks 

Arriving at the EU summit alongside Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ms von der Leyen said: 'This is a watershed moment for Europe and Ukraine as part of our European family'

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, right, speaks with Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the EU Summit at the European Council building in Brussels. Picture; AP Photo/Omar Havana

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.

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says “Europe faces a clear and present danger, and therefore Europe has to be able to protect itself, to defend itself”.