Trump on Monday said the United States would ship "billions of dollars' worth" of military equipment to NATO members, paid for by the alliance, to be handed over to Ukrainian forces battling grinding Russian advances. Trump had earlier this month suggested NATO would "100 percent" pay for U.S. weapons, which would be sent to Ukraine.

If the plan is finalized, it would allow critical aid to flow to Ukraine as it endures one of Russia’s heaviest assaults of the war.

France and Italy have refused to participate in Donald Trump’s plan to send US-made weapons to Ukraine. Governments across Europe are pondering whether to take part in the $10bn initiative. It will involve Ukraine’s allies on the continent,