Italy’s defense minister, Lorenzo Crosetto, addressed Russia’s actions and domestic pressures while managing European diplomacy. The U.S. president has pressured Volodymyr Zelensky, threatening to cut aid to Kyiv and announced an agreement with Vladimir Putin for Russian diesel supplies, accompanied by a suspension of U.S. sanctions, according to policymakermag.it.
Protests and Polls Reflect Italy's Aid Tension
Italy’s opposition to military aid for Ukraine has grown, with polls showing 18% public support for continuing arms supplies. Street protests in Rome, including students demanding more school funding over military spending, reflect this tension. The minister acknowledged the challenge, stating, It’s very hard to explain to a citizen who’s having trouble at the petrol pump that we can’t give any concessions to Russia right now.
A recent poll by the Ixè institute in September found 18% support for arms supplies, while a majority of Italians want an end to military aid, driven by a pacifist tradition and historical business ties to Moscow.
Opposition figures, such as former general Roberto Vannacci, leader of a party sympathetic to Russia, oppose aiding Ukraine, arguing that Europe is wasting resources as Russia’s military continues to advance.
Vannacci, who described himself as neither pro-Putin nor pro-Russian
but “pro-Italian,” has faced criticism from Crosetto, who brushed off questions about his views, saying he had more serious matters to deal with.
Domestic discontent is compounded by a fire at an arms depot near Rome, which the minister attributed to human stupidity
rather than sabotage. A report last month about Russia planning drone attacks on Italy, France, and Spain from Mediterranean container ships was not proven, he added.
Uncertainties and Future Moves
Key uncertainties remain. The Italian government has not clarified how it will reconcile its EU-focused strategy with potential U.S. policy changes. Meanwhile, public sentiment could influence future decisions, as protests and economic pressures persist. The EU summit on October 15-16 will be critical in shaping the bloc’s unified approach to Ukraine and Russia.
For now, Italy’s position hinges on balancing moral commitments, economic realities, and geopolitical alliances. As the defense minister told us, You can’t win a war… if you don’t fight back.
The coming weeks will test whether Rome’s strategy holds amid mounting challenges.