Ukraine, from Italy to Germany, here is who will give arms to Kiev

The German federal government intends to purchase Patriot air defence systems from the US and make them available to Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed. During a meeting with journalists on the sidelines of the conference on Ukraine, Merz revealed that he had already discussed this with President Trump: 'The Americans also need them to some extent, but they have a lot of them'. Merz added that the two defence ministers are busy negotiating this very possibility. At the end of May, Germany, which is the second largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine right after the US, announced a memorandum of understanding with Kiev for the acquisition and development of long-range missiles (after it failed to send the promised Taurus), made by Ukrainian manufacturers at home and partly also on German soil. In order to stop the Russian advance in Ukraine, the Eurochamber asked Germany to supply its Taurus long-range missiles to the Kiev army as soon as possible. More generally, Merz said that the German army, the Bundeswehr, "must quickly receive everything it needs to defend Germany".

German companies are also aiming to produce on Ukrainian soil, as Rheinmetall, a leader in the production of armaments, has done by opening a plant in the western part of Ukraine for the maintenance and support of MARDER tracked infantry fighting vehicles, of which more than 100 have been supplied to the Ukrainian army. Between Italy and Germany there is a collaboration aimed at producing new armoured vehicles for the Italian Army: after the signing of the joint venture between Leonardo and Rheinmetall (Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles, Lrmv), which will have its legal headquarters in Rome and a production plant in La Spezia, the aim is to deliver the first 100 tanks by 2029.

It cannot be ruled out that other defence companies will decide to follow the German company's example and thus produce directly in the country.

From Spain over a billion euros for military assistance to Kiev .

On the military side, according to the bilateral agreement signed with Kiev, Spain has allocated over EUR 1 billion in military assistance and an equal amount will be committed by 2025.

Italy, as a member of the European Union and NATO, has provided continuous support to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022. For example, it has sent the Samp/T air defence system, which is useful for protecting Ukrainian cities and strategic infrastructure. The Italian government is preparing its 12th aid package to Ukraine. The country recently pledged to contribute EUR 1 million to strengthen cyber protection mechanisms for the protection of Ukrainian civil digital infrastructure.

During the Ukraine Recovery Conference with Kiev, the EU Commission announced the BraveTech Eu initiative to accelerate defence innovation through closer cooperation. Initial project activities will be supported through the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the European Defence Innovation Programme (Eudis), with proposed adaptations to Defence Fund programmes that could mobilise up to EUR 50 million. This funding will be in addition to the EUR 50 million allocated by the Ukrainian government.