Robert Zoellick, World Bank president, has called for European Union-led co-ordinated global support for the economies of central and eastern Europe, even as divisions emerge in the EU over handling the crisis.

Speaking to the Financial Times amid turmoil in central and east European markets on Wednesday, Mr Zoellick said the bank was trying to work with the International Monetary Fund and other multilateral institutions to help the region but needed more backing from Brussels. “It’s got to have support from the European governments,” he said. “It’s 20 years after Europe was united in 1989 – what a tragedy if you allow Europe to split again.”