PARIS, August 25. /TASS/. France intends to formally restrict Ukraine’s purchases of weapons from countries outside the EU using money given to it by European countries, according to the Euronews television channel.
The European 2026-2027 program for the Kiev regime amounts to 90 billion euros to be disbursed for various needs, including military. The European Commission is supposed to approve all arms supply contracts it intends to pay for.
Under the prorgam, Ukraine cannot allocate more than 35% of the aid package to defense products manufactured outside the EU and the European Economic Area; however, it can request exemptions if certain goods are not produced in the EU or if production in the EU is more expensive or takes longer than required. According to the TV channel, Ukraine has secured exemptions that allow it to purchase weapons and equipment outside the EU using funds allocated by Europe, like Chinese components for drone production and US Patriot interceptors.
France’s military industry is one of the largest among EU countries. Together with Italy it produces the SAMP/T air defense system, which is Europe's version of the US Patriot.
"France, however, is pushing for these exemptions to be temporary, in an effort to ensure a greater share of the EU-backed funding ultimately supports European -- and potentially French -- production," Euronews said.
