European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has voiced cautious support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to provide arms to Ukraine—but insisted that Europe should not be left footing the entire bill.
Trump recently announced that the U.S. will continue producing advanced weaponry, including Patriot missile systems, for Ukraine—but emphasized that the cost must be covered by European NATO allies. “We’re not buying it. We’re making it, and they’re paying,” Trump said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, framing the approach as a business transaction rather than foreign aid.
While welcoming the continued flow of weapons, Kallas pointed out that if Europe is the one paying, the support should be recognized as European. “If we pay for these weapons—it’s our support, it’s European support,” she told reporters on Tuesday, urging Washington to “share the burden.”
Trump’s transactional model has sparked concern among European leaders who view the Ukraine conflict as a shared strategic responsibility. Critics argue that Washington’s current posture risks undermining allied unity and may send conflicting signals to Kiev.
Moscow, meanwhile, has condemned the continuous arms shipments to Ukraine from the West. Russian officials argue that the flow of weapons is fueling escalation without altering the military balance. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump’s threats of 100% tariffs in 50 days are seen by Kiev “not as a step toward peace, but as encouragement to keep fighting.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested that NATO and EU leaders are pressuring Trump into a harder stance, while Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned that setting terms or issuing ultimatums to Russia is “unacceptable.”
Despite the rhetoric, Moscow has reiterated its openness to negotiations, though it claims Kiev has yet to respond on any proposal for new talks.