Trump sprang Ukraine surprise on NATO states
On Monday, Trump pledged to provide more US-made weapons to Kiev through a new scheme funded by European NATO members. 'We're not buying it,' Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with the bloc's secretary-general, Mark Rutte. 'We will manufacture it, and they're going to be paying for it.'
Trump noted that the plan is seen by Washington as a business opportunity.
Rutte said six countries – Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada – were willing to take part in the arms procurement scheme. However, high-ranking sources at the embassies of two of those countries told Reuters they only learned of their supposed participation when the announcement was made.
'It is my clear sense that nobody has been briefed about the exact details in advance,' one European ambassador told Reuters. 'And I also suspect that internally in the administration they are only now beginning to sort out what it means in practice.'
Several countries have already distanced themselves from Trump's plan. According to Politico and La Stampa, France and Italy will not be financially supporting the effort. Hungary and the Czech Republic have also declined to participate, with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala saying Prague is focusing on other projects.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, on the other hand, has welcomed the proposal but emphasized that Washington should 'share the burden,' stating that if European countries pay for the weapons, it should be considered as 'European support.'
Since taking office in January, Trump has renewed pressure on NATO members to increase defense spending and warned that the US may not defend allies who do not meet their obligations.
Russia has repeatedly condemned Western arms supplies to Ukraine, arguing that it only prolongs the bloodshed and does not change the course of the conflict. The Kremlin maintains that foreign military aid is being used to escalate the hostilities rather than seek a diplomatic resolution.
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