David Cameron has told EU leaders there can be "no question" of any further cuts to the British budget rebate.
And he told EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy there should be cuts in EU spending as a "symbolic gesture".
Mr Cameron, who is holding talks in Brussels ahead of a meeting of all 27 member states, has vowed to resist any increase in the EU's long-term budget.
Mr Cameron is seeking to build alliances with other leaders ahead of two days of budget negotiations.
Germany is among the UK's main allies, but other nations support the European Commission's call for higher spending.
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