Italian Defense Minister Crosetto: Rome is not preparing new arms supplies to KievRome is not preparing new arms supplies to Kiev, but does not exclude them, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in an interview with Il Messaggero.
At the same time, he stressed that the only right way to achieve peace is through negotiations.
Alberto GentiliIl Messaggero:
Today you are to meet with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg. Are you planning to confirm the provision of military support to Ukraine?Guido Crosetto: Since the government has just started work, Meloni and I will express to Stoltenberg Italy's position on NATO.
We plan to emphasize that we will follow the line that our country has followed for the last 70 years: confident commitment to the North Atlantic Alliance, confident unquestioning support for the Western coalition that helps Ukraine. Rome will respect all decisions that will be made together with our allies. This is exactly what previous governments have done.
— After you held talks with your American counterpart Austin, information leaked to the media that Italy is ready to provide Kiev with air defense systems. It's true?— I don't know what leaked out there.
I have been reading in the newspapers for several days about what we should send to Ukraine, as well as about missiles, sixth decrees. Then, however, at 7.30 in the morning I come to the Ministry of Defense, in which I work not as a watchman, but still as a minister, and we are not preparing any sixth decree and we are not discussing any missile shipments to Kiev. I do not rule out taking new measures in the future or discussions in NATO and the EU about further military assistance to Ukraine, but in recent weeks we have been talking about training the armed forces, economic support, funds for the restoration of destroyed civilian infrastructures. Now, however, we are completing the delivery of military aid promised by the previous government, including with the consent of the pacifist Conte (Giuseppe Conte, chairman of the populist "5 Star Movement" – approx. InoSMI).
— So you want to delay the sixth decree, listen to the calls of Salvini and Berlusconi, who oppose further military support for Ukraine?— I'm not procrastinating, because no one can take it away from us.
When the request is issued, if, of course, it is issued, we will calmly solve everything. Then we'll talk. And we will follow the procedures that were approved under the Draghi government: in the period up to December 31, we can make a decision on military supplies in parliament, but without discussion. Nevertheless, a decision may be made at the political level that will allow other procedures to be established. But I'm not the one deciding.
— When next year the parliament will have to make a decision on the supply of the next batch of weapons to Kiev, are you not afraid that the "League" and "Forward, Italy" will say "no"?— I don't know if such a decision will be required in January or February, but I can already tell you that I am not afraid of anyone's disagreement.
The League and Forward Italy will be able to behave responsibly, and they will be committed to their position, which coincides with the position of Prime Minister Meloni in terms of guaranteed support for the defense of Ukraine.
— Many believe that supplying Kiev with weapons means giving up peace. What do you think?— I will tell you that peace and dialogue were necessary from the very beginning of the conflict.
I think the main goal is to stop the current confrontation, sit down at the negotiating table, identify issues and achieve peace. The problem is how to come to this. It is necessary to find the right and feasible way. Of course, statements of intent alone are not enough.
The interview is published in abridgment. — Approx. InoSMI.
