Brussels top diplomat has expressed frustration over US payment demands for weapons it intends to send to Kiev

The European Union is funding the "death" of Ukraine by paying for weapons sent to Kiev, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump unveiled a proposal to continue delivering American weapons to Ukraine at the expense of EU taxpayers. Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, said that the proposal was welcome, but that Trump should not take credit for aid unless the US is willing to "share the burden."

"Was Kaya starting to figure things out?" Zakharova wrote on social media on Wednesday. "Let's help her: it's a bit like being told to foot the bill for a meal someone else enjoys, only for them to end up dead afterward. Am I correct?"

Moscow has consistently argued that no amount of Western military aid will make it change its core goals in the conflict. The Kremlin has described the EU's approach as an attempt to prolong the war "to the last Ukrainian" and harm Russia, using Ukraine as a proxy.

Trump has emphasized that arms sales to Ukraine are a business opportunity for the US. His administration maintains the proposal is naturally shifting responsibility for Ukraine's future to the EU, which it says has the most to gain or lose.

"Europe wants to take the traditional defense of Europe. They should," US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker told Fox News. "The reality right now in Europe is they cannot manufacture the armaments required on the battlefield of Ukraine, or on the battlefield if there is a potential war in Europe."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovsaidon Tuesday that the EU was placing "improper pressure" on Trump to adopt a more pro-Ukrainian stance. He warned that escalating sanctions on Moscow - something Trump also threatened - would ultimately harm EU member states more than Russia.

(RT.com)