Donald Trump's new military aid plan for Ukraine has divided Europe: instead of the expected tougher stance against Moscow, the U.S. proposed that the EU independently purchase weapons for Kyiv. However, many NATO countries were unprepared for such expenses, while others—like France and Italy—refused outright. Why Trump's scheme might fail and how European debts factor into this—in Georgy Bovt's report.

Trump’s new Ukraine policy, initially welcomed by the EU as a tougher stance toward Moscow, turned out to be just another «good deal» — with Trump simply proposing the EU buy weapons for Ukraine from the US. Several countries learned about the scheme only after Trump announced it. Washington’s plans to make NATO’s European members fully fund weapons for Kyiv partly caught Europe off guard. EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas warned that if the bloc pays for American weapons, it would equate to European support, thus she’d prefer US participation in financing the deliveries.

EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated that EU legal documents prohibit using the EU budget to purchase US weapons for Ukraine. Each country can contribute funds independently. So what will Europe and America do?

Some European countries only realized their participation in the scheme after the US announced the plan. Others like Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez fear US weapon purchases may conflict with plans to increase domestic military spending.

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