Andrea Innocenti The thirteenth aid package for Ukraine is ready for submission to the Committee for the Security of the Republic (Copasir). Defense Minister Guido Crosetto is scheduled to present it in the next few hours, but the document cannot be published until Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti signs it, a mandatory step required by parliamentary procedure.
Giorgetti's signature restriction and internal tensions
Giorgetti, who was in Brussels on Monday for the Ecofin meeting, was not in Italy when the decision was made. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the League, has already repeatedly expressed his opposition to continued military aid to Kiev , calling for "respect" from the allies and a reconsideration of the strategy after four years of war.
The League, now the only critical voice in the majority, has stepped up its pressure, threatening to derail the package during the debate at the COPASIR.
The consequences of a possible refusal
If the Economy Minister persists in refusing to sign, the framework decree cannot be published. This would block both military and civilian aid , including generators and air defense components requested by Kiev.
Furthermore, the entire budget plan currently underway would risk being destabilized by a blockade of this magnitude.
Contents of the package and evolution of the Ukrainian situation
The new package, classified like its predecessors, includes the delivery of air defense systems—possibly including Aster missiles —following Ukraine's recent request to strengthen its defense system against Russian bombing. Crosetto noted that the mechanism, originally chosen by the Draghi government, envisages cooperation between the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and has been renewed four times since 2022, with minor adjustments.
According to the Defense Minister, the nature of the threats has changed: in the past, Ukraine could repel 90% of attacks, but now that percentage has dropped to 10% due to the rapid evolution of Russian technology and the advent of Shaed drones. This transformation has reduced the amount of material that can be sent, as many of the requests "are no longer available." Despite this, the government remains steadfast in honoring its commitments to NATO and its allies.
International reactions and future prospects
Meanwhile, globally, tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States escalated during the trilateral summit in the Emirates, where Russian Secretary Sergei Shoigu accused Kiev and its allies of preparing to prosecute the war. In the United States, Senator Marco Rubio expressed doubts about the possibility of formalizing security guarantees for Kiev in a treaty, citing the difficulties of congressional approval.
According to the United Nations, civilian casualties in Ukraine have increased by 85% over the past twelve months, with over 300 deaths and more than 2.000 injuries in a single month. These figures increase pressure on Washington and the European Union to offer more decisive support, but also increase the sensitivity of European governments, such as Italy, to carefully evaluate any new arms shipments.
Domestically, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani attributed the recent hybrid attacks against Italy to pro-Russian hackers, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response with allies. The discussion over the next aid package to Kiev is therefore at the heart of a broader dispute involving national security, domestic politics, and international obligations.