Italy Approves Expanded Aid Package for Ukraine, Balancing Military Support with Civilian Needs
Italy is poised to extend its financial and military assistance to Ukraine for another year, following intensive negotiations between key coalition partners. The new decree, expected to be approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday at the latest, represents a significant evolution in Italy’s support, explicitly including provisions for ammunition, artillery, and a bolstered focus on civilian aid sectors like healthcare, logistics, and energy infrastructure.
The agreement, reached after weeks of internal debate, underscores the complex political dynamics within Italy’s governing coalition. Direct communication between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and League leader Matteo Salvini, with a text agreed upon “word for word,” was crucial in overcoming divisions and securing a consensus. While previous decrees offered similar support, this iteration expands the scope of aid and addresses specific concerns raised by the League party.
The provision, comprised of three articles, now formally encompasses military aid – including ammunition and artillery – alongside enhanced civilian assistance. Specifically, the decree prioritizes support for Ukraine’s healthcare system, logistical networks, and the critical reconstruction of its electricity grid. According to sources, while previous decrees allowed for such aid, the League sought explicit language to demonstrate its commitment to these areas.
Beyond the aid to Ukraine, the decree also addresses the safety of Italian journalists and freelancers reporting from conflict zones. A new form of financial protection will be introduced to mitigate risks faced by media professionals operating in high-danger areas, providing coverage in the event of accidents during their professional activities.
The political agreement, however, has drawn criticism from opposition parties. Carlo Calenda, a prominent opposition figure, dismissed the process as “a dirty pantomime,” suggesting it was more about political optics than substantive action. Despite this criticism, government officials continue to emphasize the importance of the decree. “The next weapons decree will not be a warmongering or pacifist decree. It will be a just decree,” stated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in a recent interview.
Tajani also addressed the ongoing debate surrounding frozen Russian assets, noting Italy’s initial reservations but ultimate agreement on Eurobonds following discussions at the recent European Council. “Italy only expressed doubts regarding the law and in the end an agreement was reached on Eurobonds. We couldn’t make a mistake. We remained faithful to our values and at the same time alongside Kiev,” he explained.
Salvini, for his part, highlighted the League’s influence on the final agreement, emphasizing a shift towards a more defensive strategy. “The League’s request in the decree for Ukraine…is to take into consideration that something has changed in the last three years. Now there is an open negotiating table. And so rather than sending weapons to attack and destroy, we focus on defensive strategy, on logistics, on how to protect civilians, how to warm them, care for them.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meloni engaged in a video conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders on the eve of Zelensky’s meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Palazzo Chigi released a statement following the discussion, aligning with other EU capitals and emphasizing the need for a united European front. The statement underscored the importance of holding Russia accountable and encouraging it to engage in meaningful negotiations.
Meloni stressed the necessity of “keeping the European front united,” asserting that “Only through this solid unity of views can Russia be faced with its responsibilities and encouraged to demonstrate real willingness to sit at the negotiating table.” Further discussions between the Prime Minister and other leaders are anticipated following the Zelensky-Trump meeting.
