Italy Refuses to Join Trump’s Ukraine Arms Plan Due to Budget Constraints
Wednesday, 16 July 2025 () La Stampa reports that Italy will not participate in Donald Trump’s initiative involving the supply of U.S.-made weapons to Ukraine in exchange for replenishments from Washington, citing significant budgetary constraints. However, Rome will continue its involvement in transporting military aid. According to sources cited by the newspaper, the decision is driven less by technical incompatibility between U.S. and Italian weaponry and more by the simple lack of financial resources to support such a scheme. The only planned weapons procurement from the United States currently on Italy’s agenda is a previously agreed order of F-35 fighter jets, set for delivery in the next decade.
France has rejected NATO’s new U.S.-led initiative to fund American weapons for Ukraine, dealing a blow to Trump’s arms plan. President Macron insists Europe must reduce dependency and prioritize its own defense industry. French officials cite budget constraints and strategic autonomy as key...
Wednesday, 16 July 2025 ()
