Lower house of Italian Parliament votes to extend military support to Ukraine
Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defense of Italy (Photoz: Getty Images)
The lower house of the Italian Parliament has supported a resolution regarding the extension of military support to Ukraine, reports ANSA.
The resolution obliges the government "to continue supporting, in accordance with the commitments made and agreed within NATO and the EU, as well as at international forums to which Italy belongs, the Ukrainian authorities, including through the provision of military equipment, materials, and supplies."
The resolution was supported by 195 votes. Specifically, 50 deputies voted against it, and 55 abstained.
As Italy's Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, has highlighted, the support for Ukraine remains strong and absolutely unchanged. He has mentioned that it would be a "strategic and political mistake to take a step back now." The aid will continue until the Russian attacks cease.
"The challenges Ukraine faces can be explained by the existence of huge minefields. According to Ukrainian intelligence estimates, there are over 8 million mines that the Russians use to protect their positions," states Crosetto.
The Defense Minister reminds that after seven aid packages, approval was recently given for the shipment of the eighth tranche of equipment, materials, and systems to Kyiv.
Italy's aid to Ukraine
In December 2023, the Italian government adopted a resolution allowing the country to provide military support to Ukraine until the end of 2024. This decision was supposed to be endorsed by the country's parliament.
Meanwhile, Italy's Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, called on the European Union to establish its army that would play a role in supporting peace and preventing conflicts.
