France blocks simplified procurement of Storm Shadow missiles for Ukraine – The Telegraph

France has opposed a simplified mechanism for the procurement of UK-produced Storm Shadow cruise missiles for Ukraine.

Source: The Telegraph

Quote: "A coalition of 11 EU capitals has proposed loosening the rules for Kyiv to use a €90bn (£78bn) loan to buy British weapons, but France wants the money to be spent within the EU."

Details: The Telegraph reports that the current plan for using the loan – two-thirds of which will be allocated to the purchase of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine – envisages giving priority to European and Ukrainian defence industries over procurement from outside the EU.

In the meantime, documents seen by the newspaper indicate that Ukrainian military officials estimate that in 2026 Ukraine will need military equipment produced outside the EU worth a total of €24 billion.

Quote: "This figure is mainly for the provision of American-made Patriot air defence systems and PAC-3 interceptors, but long-range missiles have been identified as another requirement that European nations may not be able to provide."

Details: In this context, British Storm Shadow missiles were considered a possible solution. The authors of the initiative proposed a four-tier priority system that would allow the UK to move higher in the procurement chain, provided it was willing to meet Ukraine's needs.

However, according to one diplomatic source, France does not agree with the initiative.

Quote: "Paris is at the centre of efforts to make the EU strategically autonomous of its allies, mainly the US, because of ruptures with Donald Trump over his threats to seize Greenland."

Details: According to the journalists' sources, France insists that any funds transferred to Ukraine must first of all support the development of the EU's own defence industry, even if this runs counter to Kyiv's urgent defence needs.

This approach has already sparked internal criticism, as it is believed to potentially limit Ukraine's ability to defend itself effectively, particularly against Russian air attacks.

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