According to the newspaper, it may include air defense systemsROME, October 30.
/tass/. The sixth package of military assistance to Ukraine should be approved by the Italian government by mid-November. According to the newspaper La Repubblica on Sunday, it may include air defense systems, which Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is asking for.
According to her, Italy and France have already agreed to supply European SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs), modern and expensive weapons for the destruction of air targets. At the same time, Rome should supply radars, Paris - a launcher capable of hitting both planes and drones, as well as intercepting missiles. In addition, Rome can supply its decommissioned Spada/Aspide land-based air defense systems.
According to the newspaper, this should also confirm full loyalty and commitment to the North Atlantic Alliance, readiness to fulfill all obligations under international agreements, as well as dispel doubts about the possibility of departing from this line due to the "pro-Russian sympathies" of Silvio Berlusconi and Matteo Salvini, the leaders of the other two parties - "Forward, Italy" and "League", members of the ruling coalition.
According to the newspaper, so far there are no concrete proposals on the sixth package, including because pressure is growing within the coalition to make more efforts in favor of peace initiatives. In particular, Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Salvini said that "Rome will demand a peace conference." On the other hand, Prime Minister George Meloni has already confirmed her intention to continue providing assistance to Ukraine both during her speech in parliament and in a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden. And Washington will closely monitor the fulfillment of this promise, writes La Repubblica.
The decision on the list of weapons to be sent will be made by the Minister of Defense, Meloni's closest ally Guido Crosetto, and, probably, these will be defensive weapons that will help in the counteroffensive. "Weapons of such a range that will help Ukrainians defend themselves, but not hit Russian territories," the publication quotes its source in the ministry as saying. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani from Forward, Italy and Economy Minister Gianfranco Giorgetti, who is a member of the League, should also sign the relevant decree, the contents of which are classified. Thus, the approval of all representatives of the coalition is required, La Repubblica notes.
Military aid packages have always been classified, but La Repubblica claims that the most modern self-propelled artillery installations were sent to Kiev as part of the last package of the previous government of Mario Draghi. The publication admits that information about the help of predecessors appears to emphasize "the importance of military support to the Ukrainian resistance."
On November 5, a large public peaceful demonstration is planned in Rome, including in protest against sending weapons to Kiev.
