DISINFO: Some European countries don’t support the anti-Russian militaristic ecstasy
SUMMARY
Some European countries do not support the anti-Russian, militaristic ecstasy. There are multiple contradictions - first there is an announcement that an agreement on US weapons has been reached and the Europeans will pay, and now the business will benefit the Americans. Then, first, Italy does not want to pay, later France does not want to pay, after that the Czech Republic does not want to pay. Germany is the economic engine of Europe, but it won’t be able to carry this financial burden alone. As soon as Germany realises that it will have to pay the supply of weapons to Ukraine by itself, problems will start.
RESPONSE
This disinformation narrative is a direct response to the announcement made on 11 July 2025, in which the Trump Administration approved the transfer of US weapons to Ukraine via NATO countries that would finance the deliveries. The story aims to discredit the initiative by portraying it as both unaffordable and destined to fail. At the same time, it advances several recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the abandonment of Ukraine by its allies, economic difficulties, warmongering and the disunion of the EU.
This disinformation story significantly exaggerates the level of opposition to the initiative among EU member states. While it is true that Italy, France and the Czech Republic have announced they will not participate in the plan, their positions are far more nuanced than the narrative suggests.
France’s position stems from its preference to purchase weapons from European manufacturers rather than from the United States. Italy has opted not to fund the weapons but may assist with logistics for their transport to Ukraine. The Czech Republic has declined to join the initiative for now, citing its existing commitments to multiple arms support efforts, including large-scale munitions procurement.
In contrast, seven leading EU countries, along with Canada, have already announced their participation, while many others have yet to take a public stance. This renders the claim that “Germany will find itself alone in funding these weapons” inaccurate and misleading.
The ultimate goal of this disinformation story is to undermine international support for Ukraine’s self-defence against Russia’s invasion by framing it as “militaristic” and “anti-Russian”, while ignoring Russia’s responsibility for its unprovoked aggression of its neighbour.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Europe justifies the increasing defence budgets with “belligerent” Moscow, that ReArm Europe means the EU is preparing to attack Russia, that Europeans are starving because of NATO-driven confrontation with Russia, that the phantom 'Russian threat' is used to counter European disintegration, that Europe uses Russophobia to distract attention from its economic woes, or that Brussels works to bankrupt European citizens through its defence strategy.