"We welcome President Trump's announcement about sending more weapons to Ukraine, but we want to see the US share the burden," Kaja Kallas, the European Union's (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said on 15/7 in Brussels, Belgium.
 |
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas during a press conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on 24/2. Photo: AFP |
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas during a press conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on 24/2. Photo: AFP
"If you promise to provide weapons but then say someone else will pay, they're not really provided by you," she added. "The US and Europe are cooperating, and if we work together, we can pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate seriously."
US President Donald Trump on 14/7 proposed a plan where NATO allies would finance the purchase of Patriot missile defense systems and other weapons for Ukraine. He said these weapons, worth "billions of USD", would be manufactured by the US and paid for by European countries.
He made the announcement during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who praised the move as evidence that Europe is "increasing efforts" to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
When asked to clarify her comment about the US sharing the burden, Kallas called on Washington to continue supporting Kyiv.
"If we pay for these weapons, that's our support. Our call is for everyone to do the same," she said.
The EU High Representative declined to assess the feasibility of using frozen Russian assets to buy US weapons, but didn't dismiss the idea.
"We need to provide more funding for Ukraine to defend itself. While we have different views on the amount of frozen Russian assets, it's important that everyone listens to each other's assessments. Ultimately, we all hear questions about why Russia isn't paying for the damage they have caused," she emphasized.
President Trump has long been dissatisfied with the US's extensive involvement in arming Ukraine, although NATO says Europe is now primarily responsible for the amount of weapons sent to Kyiv.
European countries such as Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands have announced they will join, or are considering joining, the new US plan.
Vu Hoang (Politico, AFP, Reuters)
