EU urges US to ‘share the burden’ for Ukraine arms
(MENAFN) EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to supply more weapons to Ukraine but argued that Washington cannot claim it as American aid if European NATO allies are footing the bill.
On Monday, Trump announced that other NATO members would be allowed to purchase U.S.-made Patriot missile systems and other arms for Ukraine. However, he made it clear that American taxpayers would not cover these costs. “The United States won’t be paying. We’re not buying the weapons, but we will manufacture them, and others will pay. This is business for us,” Trump said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House.
Kallas responded positively to the announcement but stressed the need for the U.S. to share more of the financial burden. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, she clarified that “if we are the ones paying for these weapons, it is our support — it’s European support.” Kallas emphasized that the EU is already doing everything it can to assist Ukraine and called on all allies to contribute equally. “If you promise weapons but expect others to pay, then it’s not really your contribution, is it?” she added.
Russia has consistently condemned Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, arguing they only serve to prolong the conflict and escalate violence without changing the outcome. Moscow has stated it remains open to peace talks but is still waiting for Kiev to respond on when negotiations might resume.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that EU and NATO leaders are pressuring Trump to take a harder stance on the conflict. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned that demands and ultimatums are unacceptable. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also criticized Trump’s threat of imposing severe secondary tariffs within 50 days, arguing such measures only encourage Ukraine to continue fighting rather than seek peace.
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