European Union leaders used a summit Thursday to seek ways to make the bloc a more hostile destination for migrants and asylum seekers following a recent surge in support for the extreme right, which has fomented opposition to foreigners.

European Union leaders arriving at a summit in Brussels on Thursday said that the bloc needed tougher policies to expel illegal migrants, but acknowledged that agreeing new steps would take time. Poland and Baltic countries have said they would also call for a common EU stance against Russia and Belarus using migrants as a weapon against the EU.

European Union leaders are struggling to maintain a coordinated approach on migration policy after member states including Germany and Poland announced strict new border controls.