In brief
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has slammed a U.S. move to restrict satellite systems and intelligence used by Ukraine as a "total mistake." He warns that cutting off these vital assets could give Russia the advantage and prolong the war. The comments come as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized a Trump‑Putin diesel deal that Italy the EU accused of legitimising Moscow. Crosetto, a founding member of Meloni’s right‑wing party, urges Italy to stand firm with Ukraine despite domestic pressure to cut aid.
Italy’s defence minister says Trump’s US decision to stop giving Ukraine satellite intelligence is a "complete mistake" that could help Russian President Vladimir Putin win the war.
In a BBC interview, Guido Crosetto warned that the step "makes absolutely no sense" and, by limiting Ukraine’s cyber‑defence, might simply prolong Russia’s full‑scale invasion. He said the move would create a "weakness" that Putin could exploit and keep the conflict alive.
Crosetto also slammed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s praise for a Trump‑led deal that allowed Italy to buy diesel from Russia, calling the contract a risky choice that gives Moscow legit‑imacy amid attacks on Ukrainian cities. Meloni’s government has been a staunch ally of Ukraine, supplying both military and humanitarian aid.
The defence minister, a co‑founder of Meloni’s hard‑right Fratelli d’Italia party, added three more hours of Parliament approval could be harder as Italy’s next elections loom in 2027. Yet he pledges that Italy will continue to back Ukraine “for as long as this government is in place.”
Crosetto also blamed a Moscow disinformation campaign for eroding public support in Italy and urged the country to double down on cyber‑defence, noting that hundreds of cyber attacks hit European borders every day.
Why Italy’s defence stance matters: The decision shows how Europe is balancing support for Ukraine against domestic sentiments and political pressure—especially from far‑right groups who want to curb aid to the war.
As the conflict drags on, every ally’s policy shift—whether tightening or loosening support—can influence the outcome for millions of people and the broader geopolitical landscape.
