Cracks in most powerful alliance? France, Italy break ranks — refuse to join US-led NATO arms deal for Ukraine
What's the New NATO Arms Plan About?
The proposal, pitched by Germany and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and unveiled by US President Donald Trump on July 14 in Washington, aims to buy new air defenses for Ukraine, as reported by Kyiv Independent.
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The new arms plan for Ukraine comes as Russia has increased its attacks against Ukrainian cities in recent week, according to the report.
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Why Are France and Italy Saying No?
France has rejected joining the plan because of French President Emmanuel Macron's efforts for European nations to strengthen their own defense industries by buying domestically produced arms, as reported by Kyiv Independent. While France is also facing issues with budgets and increasing defense spending targets amid broader economic pressures, according to the report.
Even Italy has taken a similar stance, as Italian officials dismissed directly buying US weapons because of fiscal limitations and the country's focus on different technological systems, such as the Italian-French-made SAMP/T air defense system already supplied to Ukraine, as reported by Kyiv Independent.
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However, Kyiv Independent's Italian Defense Ministry sources have highlighted that the decision must not be considered as a lack of support for Ukraine but rather as a way to find alternative ways to contribute to the broader effort, according to the report.
Italy is also considering a NATO request to support the logistical transport of US-supplied weapons to Ukraine, whether by air, rail, or sea, and has indicated that it will not "shy away" from contributing, according to the Kyiv Independent report.
Poland Says Make Russia Pay, Not European Taxpayers
While Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has pointed out that the cost of arming Ukraine should not fall on European taxpayers but be covered by Russia's frozen assets instead, as per the report. Sikorski said that, "I asked my fellow foreign ministers: Who should pay for American equipment? Should it be European taxpayers, or, in my opinion, should the aggressor pay for it using its frozen funds?" as quoted by the Polish Press Agency.
Germany Takes the Lead and Brings Donald Trump Onboard
Rutte revealed that Germany is "massively" invested in the new arms plan, and also said that Trump's support came after extensive coordination with Berlin, as per Kyiv Independent report. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pointed out that the new initiative serves Europe's own interests and increases pressure on Russia to negotiate peace, according to the report.
While Trump recently said that additional deliveries of Patriot air defense missiles and other weapons are already underway, as reported by Kyiv Independent.
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More Countries Step Up
Other European countries, such as the US, the Netherlands, and several Nordic nations, have backed the arrangement, according to the Kyiv Independent report.
FAQs
Is France pulling back support for Ukraine?
No. France is still backing Ukraine, but it's prioritizing its own defense industry. President Macron wants European nations to strengthen their manufacturing of weapons and reduce dependency on outside suppliers, including the US, as per the Kyiv Independent report.
Does this mean France and Italy are against NATO's mission in Ukraine?
No. Both countries remain committed to NATO and Ukraine's defense. They're just choosing different ways to help — like supporting logistics or using European-made weapons.
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