EU defense commissioner urges independent plan for peace in Ukraine

European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius has urged the European Union and Ukraine to develop and carry out their own peace strategy.

He said the EU had been Ukraine’s main financial supporter, while expecting US political leaders to help bring peace.

He did not explain why he believes the EU should change its approach.

His comments came after a phone call on October 9 between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which covered several topics.

The European Commission has said the EU spent 228.5 billion euros supporting Ukraine since the conflict began.

The EU has also struggled for nearly four months to agree on its 22nd package of sanctions against Russia.

Kubilius’s proposal points to a greater role for the EU and Ukraine in shaping efforts to end the conflict, but he gave no details about the strategy or what happens next.