Italian minister rebuffs Trump on Ukraine support
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has told BBC that former US president Donald Trump’s suggestion to cut military aid to Ukraine is “completely wrong” and risks prolonging Russia’s full-scale invasion rather than helping to end it.
The minister’s comments come as the Trump administration has repeatedly signalled hostility to continued Western support for Kyiv, raising concerns across NATO allies about the prospect of a negotiated settlement that could leave Russia in control of occupied territory.
Alliance solidarity under pressure
Crosetto told BBC that European allies cannot afford to see the United States reduce its commitment to a partner that “has helped make Europe safer” through its NATO membership. Italy, which supplies artillery ammunition and host to a US forward-deployed headquarters, argues that undermining Ukrainian defence would weaken collective security rather than strengthen it.
Economic implications discussed
The minister noted that European energy prices and energy security have already been shaped by the war, and a Soviet victory would reshape the European security architecture for generations. Italy has doubled its military contribution to Ukraine since the conflict began, Crosetto added, including sending €1.5 billion worth of equipment in 2024.
Why it matters
The debate reflects a deeper divide within US foreign policy between those who argue for a negotiated settlement with Moscow and those who insist on Ukraine’s right to defend its sovereignty. For European powers, the stakes are existential: a Russian win would signal the first major defeat of NATO since the Cold War and threaten the post-war order.
What happens next
European defence ministers are set to meet next week to coordinate a joint statement reaffirming support for Ukraine. Italy is expected to propose a joint EU arms package worth hundreds of millions of euros to ensure Kyiv can maintain defensive capabilities regardless of US policy shifts.
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Source: BBC News
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