MOSCOW/THE HAGUE, 01 July (H.S.): Differences have emerged among European countries over long-term military assistance to Ukraine in its war with Russia, with Italy facing accusations of obstructing NATO's plans for sustained support to Kyiv.

According to Russia Today (RT), citing the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), NATO members recently agreed in Brussels on military assistance worth around €70 billion (approximately Rs 7.69 trillion) for 2026. However, Italy has objected to commitments covering support beyond 2027.

According to media reports, Italy does not agree with a provision requiring NATO to commit to providing Ukraine with military assistance at at least the same level in the years ahead. As a result, parts of the proposal have been left unresolved, with a final decision still pending.

A fresh round of talks among NATO ambassadors is scheduled for Thursday ahead of the alliance's annual summit in Ankara on July 7. Although Italy has consistently supported Kyiv since the outbreak of the conflict with Russia, it has opposed open-ended financial commitments amid mounting domestic economic pressures.

Last month, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told Parliament that Rome would not support NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a programme intended to finance the purchase of U.S. weapons for Ukraine.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also indicated that Italy may opt out of certain European Union defence financing initiatives, arguing that the country must prioritise rising energy costs ahead of next year's elections.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, a key coalition partner in Meloni's government, has repeatedly criticised continued military assistance to Ukraine, saying he does not believe sending additional weapons will resolve the conflict. During major corruption scandals in Ukraine last year, Salvini argued that providing further financial assistance could worsen corruption in the country.

Some NATO members have also raised concerns over burden-sharing within the alliance. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said last year that the Nordic countries, with a combined population of fewer than 30 million people, account for nearly one-third of NATO's military assistance to Ukraine.

This situation cannot continue indefinitely. It is not fair in any way. It demonstrates not only the contribution made by the Nordic countries but also what other countries are failing to do, she had said.

Reports also indicate that most of the proposed €70 billion package would be financed through previously agreed European loans and contributions from member states, while the United States is not participating in this specific funding initiative.

Russia has long criticised Western military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that it is prolonging the conflict and making NATO an increasingly direct participant in the war.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar