France, Italy reportedly opt out of US-NATO arms deal for Ukraine

Kiev Independent ^ | 07 15 2025 | Anna Fratsyvir

[yesthatjallen]

France and Italy will not take part in a new NATO-led initiative to finance the delivery of U.S. weapons to Ukraine, Politico and La Stampa reported on July 16, citing undisclosed government officials in both countries.

Despite being a long-standing supporter 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 will purchase advanced arms from the U.S., including air defense systems, and deliver some of them to Ukraine.

According to two French officials, France declined to join the plan because of President Emmanuel Macron's push for European nations to strengthen their own defense industries by purchasing domestically produced arms.

France is also contending with budget constraints and rising defense spending targets amid broader economic pressures, Politico wrote.

Italy, meanwhile, has taken a similar position. According to La Stampa, Italian officials ruled out direct purchases of U.S. weapons, citing 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.

SNIP

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TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: europe; ukraine

[Robert357]

Haven’t world leaders learned by now that you don’t mess with a “deal” that Trump has made.

Italy and France better step up their defense spending to 5% of GDP immediately on NATO and figure out how to send domestically produced weapons desired by Ukraine or they are going to face the wrath of Trump. It could be tariffs to pay for weapons to Ukraine, it could be something altogether different, but it will be something.

[Alberta's Child]

First of all, WE didn’t tell Ukraine to do anything. For more than 30 years this fiasco has been the brainchild of a corrupt globalist ruling class in Washington that has never had this country’s interests at heart.

To betray them simply because we changed our minds is callous and cynical in the extreme.

It’s not callous and cynical. It’s an inherent characteristic of democratic governance. These foreign leaders would do well to keep that in mind. It’s high time that we put and end to the days of having U.S. foreign policy dictated by the employers of Lindsey Graham and the Biden family.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

SHOCKED

[POGO163]

How could it make the war spread when Putin has said all of Ukraine is Russia’s?

How could the war spread when Russia cannot take all of Ukraine after 3 and a half years?? Russia does not have the troops or money to take any country.

[Bob Wills is still the king]

“And notice no country in Western Europe has instituted a draft.

Can’t be too scared of the Rooskies, can they?

Especially since they’ve been violating sanctions all along.”
____________________________________________________________

Have you noticed our own United States of America hasn’t reinstituted the draft? We have military personnel and assets stretched out thin and to Kingdom Come across the globe, with many assigned to multiple serial deployments.

At least the Brits have been giving early warning to their citizens that a draft is likely to return. What have we been doing?

Nothing but whining.

[nathanbedford]

Timeline of U.S. Commitments to Support Ukraine (2014–2025)

2014: Outbreak of War and Initial U.S. Support
February–March: Russia annexes Crimea; U.S. government condemns the action.

Spring: Conflict ignites in Donbas; U.S. begins non-lethal security assistance to Ukraine, supplying items such as night vision devices, body armor, and medical supplies.

Congressional Action: Passage of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, authorizing sanctions and military aid.

Obama Administration & Officials: Official statements condemn Russia’s actions, call for international support of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

2015–2016: Security Assistance and Congressional Support
Security Assistance: Continued provision of non-lethal aid (Humvees, patrol boats, counter-artillery radar); total U.S. support surpasses $1.5 billion by 2016.

Congress: Regular appropriations for Ukrainian defense and Congressional delegations express solidarity through official visits and statements.

U.S. Officials: High-profile visits and public support statements from defense and diplomatic leaders.

2017–2019: Shift to Lethal Weaponry
December 2017: Trump administration approves the direct supply of lethal defensive aid for the first time, including sniper rifles and ammunition.

March 2018: First sale of 210 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 37 launchers to Ukraine for $47 million is approved by President Trump. This marks the transition from exclusively non-lethal to lethal military support.

Late 2019: Congress appropriates $391 million in military aid (controversially withheld and then released); ongoing debates and hearings on U.S. aid to Ukraine.

2020–2021: Escalation in Aid and Political Backing
2020: Congress continues to fund security assistance and reaffirms bipartisan support.

August 2021: The Biden administration authorizes a $60 million drawdown shipment, expanding the scope of military aid (including non-lethal and lethal items).

Diplomatic Statements: Senior officials, including Secretaries of State and Defense, routinely declare steadfast U.S. support for Ukrainian sovereignty.

2022: Full-Scale Russian Invasion and Major U.S. Commitments
February: Russia launches a full-scale invasion. The U.S. Congress and Biden administration dramatically escalate aid:

$112+ billion appropriated in 2022.

Immediate shipments of Javelins, Stingers, and other critical weapons systems.

Additional $800 million in security assistance in March.

April: President Biden visits Poland, congressional delegations meet President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Additional $750 million in aid sent.

Statements: President Biden and other U.S. leaders repeatedly affirm support for Ukraine “as long as it takes.” Secretaries of State and Defense issue frequent public declarations and coordinate allied support.

2023: Sustained Military, Humanitarian, and Policy Support
February: The U.S. marks the first anniversary of the invasion by sending $2 billion in arms and $250 million for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Spring–Summer: New aid tranches, including $300 million and cluster munitions, F-16s greenlit for transfer after pilot training.

Congress: Additional bills passed to continue funding weapon deliveries and oversight.

Presidential Statements: Biden authorizes use of long-range ATACMS missiles and allows Ukraine to strike Russian territory near Kharkiv with U.S. weapons.

2024: Continued Aid and High-Level Coordination
April: $95 billion aid package passed in the House, includes major support for Ukraine.

Direct Presidential Action: Authorizes further uses of American weapons; administration and Congress remain aligned in providing substantial new assistance.

Allied Diplomatic Engagement: The U.S. meets with European officials for coordinated strategies and ongoing peace summits, affirming that Ukraine and Europe must be central to any negotiations.

2025: Trump Administration and Policy Shift
January: Trump administration institutes an executive order pausing foreign assistance, resulting in a review and temporary halt of most State and USAID programs (humanitarian aid continues under waivers).

February: President Trump pushes for peace negotiations, warning of high tariffs and further sanctions against Russia if talks fail. Also agrees to continued arms provision if Ukraine pursues a ceasefire; attaches more responsibility for funding arms supplies to Europe.

Statements: The U.S. Secretary of Defense calls returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders “unrealistic,” signaling a policy shift focused on negotiations and limiting American military expenditure.

Congress: Ongoing legislative action, support statements for sanctions, and bipartisanship about continued U.S. oversight during the transition.

Representative Statements and Foreign Officer Actions
Throughout the conflict: U.S. presidents, cabinet members, and senior diplomats consistently condemn Russian aggression, pledge continued aid, and call for allied unity. Congress releases bipartisan statements expressing “ironclad” commitment to supporting Ukraine’s fight for democracy.

European Reactions: Foreign leaders coordinate policy and military assistance with the U.S., publicly supporting Ukraine and engaging with American officials on negotiation frameworks.

[nathanbedford]

First of all, WE didn’t tell Ukraine to do anything. For more than 30 years this fiasco has been the brainchild of a corrupt globalist ruling class in Washington that has never had this country’s interests at heart. To betray them simply because we changed our minds is callous and cynical in the extreme.

It’s not callous and cynical. It’s an inherent characteristic of democratic governance. These foreign leaders would do well to keep that in mind. It’s high time that we put and end to the days of having U.S. foreign policy dictated by the employers of Lindsey Graham and the Biden family.

Not a single one of these allegations bears relationship to reality. See the extent and nature of the commitments made by the United States in the next reply. The only breach in all these years has been done by Donald Trump and that was half-assed and now partially reversed-or something.

There is no departure from an international conspiracy, in fact there is no departure.

[moviefan8]

Not surprised at them not paying.

Everyone knows the American taxpayer will pay.

[Alberta's Child]

It’s very telling that you went to such great lengths to document a “timeline of U.S. commitments to support Ukraine” ... and completely left out any reference to Ukrainian interests openly bribing the U.S. government (through the Biden family) in the process.