Several bloc members reportedly only learned they were supposed to fund American weapons for Kiev when it was announced by the US president<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several NATO member states were not notified in advance that they would be asked to fund new arms deliveries to Ukraine under US President Donald Trump\u2019s latest proposal, Reuters has reported, citing European officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Monday, Trump pledged to provide more US-made weapons to Kiev through a new scheme funded by European NATO members. \u201cWe\u2019re not buying it,\u201d Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with the bloc\u2019s secretary-general, Mark Rutte. \u201cWe will manufacture it, and they\u2019re going to be paying for it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump noted that the plan is seen by Washington as a business opportunity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rutte said six countries \u2013 Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is my clear sense that nobody has been briefed about the exact details in advance,\u201d one European ambassador told Reuters. \u201cAnd I also suspect that internally in the administration they are only now beginning to sort out what it means in practice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several countries have already distanced themselves from Trump\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, on the other hand, has welcomed the proposal but emphasized that Washington should \u201cshare the burden,\u201d stating that if European countries pay for the weapons, it should be considered as \u201cEuropean support.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n