**France and Italy Opt Out of NATO-Led Arms Deal for Ukraine**
A new initiative to finance the delivery of U.S. weapons to Ukraine has hit a snag, with France and Italy announcing they will not participate in the plan. According to reports by Politico and La Stampa on July 16, officials from both countries cited budget constraints, fiscal limitations, and a desire to strengthen their own defense industries as reasons for their decision.
Despite being strong supporters of Ukraine, France has opted out of the plan, which was unveiled during U.S. President Donald Trump’s meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington on July 14. Under this scheme, NATO would purchase advanced arms from the U.S., including air defense systems, and deliver some of them to Ukraine.
France’s decision is a blow to the initiative, which has been touted as a way for European nations to support Ukraine’s defense efforts without shouldering the full cost themselves. President Emmanuel Macron has long advocated for European nations to strengthen their own defense industries by purchasing domestically produced arms, rather than relying on U.S.-supplied equipment.
Italy has taken a similar position, citing fiscal limitations and a focus on developing its own technological systems, such as the Italian-French-made SAMP/T air defense system already supplied to Ukraine. However, Italy is reportedly considering contributing to the logistical transport of U.S.-supplied weapons to Ukraine, rather than participating directly in the arms deal.
**A Call for Alternative Funding**
The decision by France and Italy has sparked debate among European leaders about who should foot the bill for arming Ukraine. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski argued that the cost of arming Ukraine should not fall on European taxpayers, but rather be covered by Russia’s frozen assets instead.
“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?” Sikorski said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers, according to the Polish Press Agency.
**Germany’s Support**
Despite the opposition from France and Italy, other European countries, including the U.K., the Netherlands, and several Nordic nations, have backed the arrangement. Germany has emerged as a key player in the initiative, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasizing that it serves Europe’s own interests and increases pressure on Russia to negotiate peace.
Trump himself has expressed support for the plan, stating on July 15 that additional deliveries of Patriot air defense missiles and other weapons are already underway.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the debate over who should pay for arming the country is set to continue. One thing is clear: the delivery of U.S. arms to Ukraine will not be without its challenges, and France and Italy’s decision to opt out of the NATO-led initiative has added a new layer of complexity to the issue.
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