Press release from Minister Crosetto

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“I read some political statements, evidently made and written solely on the basis of press articles, concerning aid to Ukraine and, in particular, the thirteenth package of aid to the Ukrainian people.

These statements demand, in an ultimatum-like and categorical tone, that the Government account for an act that, as of today, does not exist, but which is being discussed and over-discussed as though it had already been approved back in June.

I will therefore try to introduce some seriousness and truth into a debate driven either by the desire to argue at all costs or by more complex, opaque and more dangerous dynamics.

The Italian Parliament has authorized the Government to send aid (both civilian and military) to Ukraine in 2026 as well, just as it had done in all previous years. At no time (and I reiterate: ‘never’) have alleged financial resources been sent, but rather ‘goods’ and ‘items’ of various kinds, forms and nature. If we want to recall some of the civilian aid, we can mention more than 300 electric generators and all kinds of equipment for pediatric hospitals.

This year, that is, in 2026, no (I reiterate: ‘none’) form of aid has, as of today, been formalized. This is because aid is provided only insofar as it is possible to respond to specific Ukrainian requests, and this is not always easy or simply possible.

When the Ministry of Defence and the other administrations manage to put together a genuine ‘package’ of aid that is useful to the survival or defence of an attacked nation that is defending itself against a vile aggression, they prepare a decree, ask the President of COPASIR for permission to present it to its members, and then present it. Only after all these steps have been completed—not merely formal steps, but substantive ones, given that we live in a Republic in which sovereignty rests with Parliament—is the decree adopted in the prescribed classified form. This enables all members of COPASIR (where representatives of both the majority and the opposition sit) to have full and complete knowledge of it and a comprehensive understanding of its contents, as is right and proper.

This has always (I reiterate: ‘always’) been the procedure established and followed by every Government to date. In full and absolute transparency, as is right and proper, and only after full and regular prior parliamentary authorization, at the beginning of each year. It will be the same this time, as soon as it is possible to plan a genuine, concrete and non-formal package of aid.

The offer, together with the French and British, to provide Ukraine with the technology to build its own air-defence system is not new and was a common-sense decision.

What strikes me, however, is that people speak in such a generic and ideological manner about ‘aid’ to Ukraine, and with so much hostility. And even in a week in which Putin rejected a concrete and serious peace offer from Zelensky that could once again have brought the conflict to an end, immediately.

I am even more surprised that the gravity of the situation unfolding has not been understood—a situation whose unmistakable, painful and dramatic signs can be seen every single day.”

Thus spoke Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.