Italy will not immediately participate in the NATO weapons program aimed at supplying US-made arms to Ukraine, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani indicated, citing ongoing peace negotiations as the reason for this cautious approach.

“It would be premature” for Italy to engage in the NATO program to purchase American weapons for Ukraine, Tajani told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday. “If we reach an agreement and the fighting stops, weapons will no longer be needed. Other things will be needed, such as security guarantees,” he added. Tajani, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, made the statement during a meeting of NATO officials.

The program, known as the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), was created following the suspension of direct US arms shipments to Ukraine over the summer. It allows NATO member states to collectively purchase American weapons for Ukraine through a joint procurement system.

Read more: Europe’s arms industry booms as war production triples: FT

Italy becomes first EU state to publicly shift position

As Bloomberg reported, Tajani’s remarks are the clearest indication yet that the Italian government under Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is recalibrating its approach to Ukraine. Budget constraints and internal tensions within the ruling coalition are believed to be contributing factors. While Rome maintains that it will continue to support Kiev, it is now the first European capital to openly suggest that weapons deliveries should be reconsidered during ceasefire negotiations.

Although Italy signaled its intention in October to join the PURL initiative, its recent shift marks a notable divergence from the positions of several key NATO allies.

Rome’s hesitation comes after NATO allies commit funds

Tajani’s statement comes despite growing financial commitments from other NATO states. Norway, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Canada have pledged over $1 billion in funding for weapons packages under the PURL framework. Canada and the United Kingdom have also provided additional logistical and practical assistance to Ukraine.

According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, around two-thirds of alliance members are currently participating in the program.

The Italian position contrasts with warnings from Europe's defense industry. On Tuesday, the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe urged NATO members to maintain increased production of military equipment, regardless of the outcome of peace negotiations. The group emphasized that Europe must continue to expand its defense capabilities even if a temporary ceasefire is reached.

Read more: NATO chief says Europeans will pay for US weapons sent to Ukraine

Ukraine requests more support as winter nears

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have stated that the country requires an additional €1 billion ($1.2 billion) worth of US weapons via the PURL mechanism to bolster its defenses through the winter months. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, peace talks have yet to produce concrete outcomes.

Italy’s decision not to commit to the NATO weapons program at this stage adds another layer of complexity to the alliance’s unified approach, highlighting growing divergences over how to navigate the conflict’s next phase.

Read more: Ukrainian army struggling with manpower shortage: WSJ