Italy’s top defense official has issued a stark rebuke of potential moves by the Donald Trump administration to restrict Ukraine’s access to U.S. satellite systems and intelligence data, warning that any sign of compromise toward Russian President Vladimir Putin will only extend Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC conducted at his ministry office in Rome, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto characterized any such restriction as a “major, fundamental mistake” that undermines global efforts to push for a negotiated peace. He argued that cutting off critical intelligence resources would create visible weakness on Ukraine’s side, a signal Putin would interpret as an opening to continue his military campaign. “If [Putin] sees weakness… then he will believe he can win. So he will continue the war,” Crosetto stated. “Peace will only come when Putin is convinced he faces a stalemate, that he cannot seize any more territory.” This position aligns with the Italian government’s growing public criticism of the Trump administration’s policies toward the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Just days before Crosetto’s comments, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – once labeled a “Trump whisperer” for her perceived close ties to the U.S. president – condemned a separate diesel import deal Trump struck with Putin. Meloni argued the agreement grants international legitimacy to Russia while it continues bombing Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, and directly contradicts Western efforts to bring Moscow to the negotiating table. Trump defended the deal, blaming Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil refineries for driving up global fuel prices.
Crosetto, a co-founder of Meloni’s hard-right Brothers of Italy party that has led Italy’s right-wing coalition government since 2022 (shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion), reaffirmed that Rome’s military and humanitarian support for Ukraine will remain in place “for as long as this administration holds office. Despite widespread domestic skepticism over continued aid, the Meloni government has stood as one of Ukraine’s most steadfast European allies from the conflict’s earliest days, though details of all military shipments remain classified. Even so, the minister acknowledged that securing parliamentary approval for future aid packages will grow “more difficult” as national elections, required by the end of 2027, approach.
Current opinion polling shows a new far-right party, Futuro Nazionale, leading all of Meloni’s coalition partners ahead of the upcoming vote. The party’s leader, retired general Roberto Vannacci, has openly expressed sympathy for Russia and opposes continuing military aid to Ukraine, claiming Europe is wasting resources while Russia makes incremental military gains. Vannacci has attempted to frame his position as “pro-Italian” rather than pro-Putin, but Crosetto dismissed questions about Vannacci’s rising popularity and alignment with Moscow, saying he prioritizes more pressing national security matters. In a clear break from Vannacci’s stance, Crosetto issued an unflinching condemnation of Russia’s actions: “When one state crosses another’s border with tanks, when it bombs hospitals and schools, kills civilians and destroys power infrastructure, and has done so for four years, I can only describe that as evil.”
Domestic pressure against continued aid has mounted in Italy, mirroring broader trends across Western Europe. Rising energy costs have driven up consumer prices across the country, spurring public protests: last week, secondary school students marched through central Rome, throwing firecrackers and chanting for more funding for education instead of arms shipments, while truckers in southern Italy have blocked major highways to protest skyrocketing fuel prices. Consistent polling shows a majority of Italian voters oppose extending military aid to Ukraine; a September survey conducted for the Ixè institute found just 18% of respondents support continuing arms deliveries.
Crosetto pointed to multiple factors shaping this public sentiment: Italy’s long-standing pacifist political tradition, deep historical business ties between Italian and Russian industries, and a widespread perception that Italy is geographically removed from the direct security threat Russia poses to Eastern Europe. He also blamed a coordinated disinformation campaign from Moscow that has shifted public opinion by spreading favorable narratives and supporting pro-Russia political figures. “It’s very hard to explain to a citizen struggling to pay for petrol that we can’t make concessions to Russia right now,” he admitted. “But that’s the only way to defend the future of that very citizen who is complaining.”
On the topic of direct Russian security threats to Italy, Crosetto offered clarity on recent unconfirmed reports. He confirmed that an August fire at an arms depot outside Rome was caused by “human stupidity” rather than Russian sabotage, and said claims that Russia planned to launch drone attacks on Italy, France and Spain from Mediterranean container ships remain unproven. He did note that Russian-linked cyberattacks against Italian infrastructure have become routine, with “hundreds of attempts every day,” and criticized European governments for a overly weak response to these actions. “You cannot win a standoff if you do not fight back,” he emphasized.
Despite the domestic headwinds and shifting transatlantic dynamics, the Meloni administration remains committed to its pro-Ukraine stance, with Crosetto’s comments doubling down on Rome’s rejection of any compromise that would reward Russia’s aggression.
