Italy’s government faces a split over support for Ukraine after Defense Minister Guido Crosetto defended Rome’s policy and League leader Matteo Salvini said he would ask ministers to stop sending money and weapons to Kyiv.
Crosetto spoke after a Paris meeting of defense ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom. He said Italy’s approach was grounded in commitments made internationally and through European and NATO cooperation, and that Rome would keep assisting Ukraine within its capacity. Anadolu Agency reported that he also described the course of the war as a risk to European security.
The ministers’ joint statement said Ukraine’s ability to defend itself mattered to Euro-Atlantic security and identified Russia as the most acute and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security and stability. It cited Russia’s war, violations of Allied airspace, sabotage and hybrid attacks as concerns. The Group of Five (E5) had previously reaffirmed support for Ukraine while backing a larger European role in NATO.
At the League congress, Salvini said he would take the party’s position to the Council of Ministers: Italy could not keep sending money and weapons to Ukraine. That was a proposal, not an announced government decision. It follows Salvini’s earlier call to end financial support for Ukraine, made as he retained the League leadership.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy’s support would continue and that the next military aid package was ready to be sent to Kyiv as soon as possible, ANSA reported. He gave no details on the package’s contents or a delivery date.
Salvini did not specify when he would raise the proposal with the Council of Ministers. Tajani’s remarks offered no delivery date for the military package either.
