France, Italy Opt Out of NATO-Led Plan to Buy US Weapons for Ukraine
France and Italy have declined to participate in a new NATO initiative to supply US-made weapons for Ukraine, including air defense systems, financed by European allies.
The move does not mean a withdrawal of support for Kyiv, French government spokesperson Sophie Primas clarified. Rather, it is due to Paris’ preference for European arms procurement and limitations caused by the country’s budget constraints.
Rome also cited budgetary concerns, pointing out that it is prioritizing the French-Italian SAMP/T air defense system it has supplied to the embattled country. However, it is considering helping with the logistics of transporting US weapons to Ukraine.
Indirect US Support for Ukraine
In a meeting with NATO Chief Mark Rutte in Washington on Monday, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington will supply Ukraine with weapons under the sponsorship of European alliance members.
At least eight countries have shown support for the plan, including Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and several Nordic countries.
They would either contribute cash or transfer US-made systems to Ukraine before having the US fast-track the delivery of their replacements, according to The Telegraph.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed that buying Washington’s weapons is one of the fastest ways to meet Ukraine’s defense requirements amid its ongoing war with Russia.
“We are doing this in our own interests … This will help Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s bombing campaign of terror,” Politico quoted Merz as saying.
“This is the only way to increase the pressure on Moscow to finally negotiate peace. Finally, we are showing that we are pulling in the same direction as security policy partners,” he added.
Alternative Plans
Italy’s decision to opt out must be seen as a call to explore alternative ways to contribute to the broader effort, Kyiv Independent reported.
Meanwhile, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski commented that funding US-made weapons for Ukraine must be taken from Moscow’s frozen assets instead.
The Polish Press Agency quoted him as saying: “I asked my fellow (EU foreign) ministers about who should pay for this equipment. Are the European taxpayers, or is it better, in my opinion, for the aggressor to pay for it from frozen funds?”
