6 hours agoAfter France, Italy too refuses to finance American weapons for Ukraine
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)France and Italy will not participate in NATO's new initiative to finance the American arms supply for Ukraine. Politico and La Stampa referred to government officials of the two countries that were not identified. Although France has been a long supporter of Ukraine, it has decided not to participate in this plan, of [...]
Polytico i n La Stampa They referred to government officials of the two countries that were not identified.
Although France has been a long supporter of Ukraine, it has decided not to participate in this plan, which was introduced during the meeting between US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington on 14 July.
According to this plan, NATO will buy advanced American weapons, including air defence systems, and part of them will be handed over to Ukraine.
According to the two French officials, France has refused to participate in the initiative after French President Emmanuel Macron promotes strengthening the European defence industry through the purchase of weapons produced within Europe.
France also faces budgetary restrictions and higher targets of defence spending amid broader economic pressure.
Italy has taken a similar stance. According to La Stampa, Italian officials have ruled out the possibility of direct buying American weapons, referring to the country's fiscal restrictions and focus on other military technologies, for example, the Italian-French anti-air SAMP/T system, which has already surrendered to Ukraine.
Other European countries including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and several Nordic countries supported the agreement.
On 15 July, US President Donald Trump said additional shipments of Patriot missiles and other military equipment were already under way. /Periscope/
