The “sixth decree” to supply Ukraine with new weapons is being prepared, will be, I think it will be shared by almost the entire parliament, will give Ukraine the opportunity to defend itself against air strikes. Drops other missiles. These are systems for this purpose”. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said this as a guest of ‘Che tempo che fa’ at Rai 3 on Sunday evening. Italy is not afraid of what Zelensky wants. The Meloni government is determined to greenlight the supply of Aspide, surface-to-air missiles useful for defending a city, and Samp-T anti-missile shields developed with France. Instead, Germany remains under siege, even if it gives the first yes after a strong push.
Crosetto added that there has been an “increase in ground conflicts” with the “expected use of all land vehicles that it has not yet used and an attempt to make a breakthrough in Ukraine”. “Faced with this, Ukraine’s attitude has also changed, asking for defense against missile attacks until a few weeks ago” and “now Ukraine seeks help for ground attacks”.
Italy has already supplied 1 billion euros worth of weapons to Ukraine
In another interview with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani yesterday morning, an approximate first official estimate was made of the economic value of the first five military aid packages sent from Italy to Ukraine: “Italy has already provided 5 aids to Ukraine. Aid packages worth approximately 1 billion euros in the field of defense. The sixth package, which includes air defense systems, is being prepared. Minister Kuleba thanked for the support provided, I reiterated that it will continue Samp-T, and in any case, there are other transactions that we are working on in secrecy”. In any case, the owner of the foreign ministry said, “The parliament will always be informed of any initiative and possible future shipment of military supplies. I remind you that the Ukrainian decree extends the possibility of replenishment until 2023. We will respect the commitment.” done,” Tajani concludes.
pressure to germany
As for Germany’s vacillations, “I have respect for other nations, every country is autonomous – Crosetto approves -. The current German majority has been chosen to cut defense spending, they are making the biggest increase in 70 years. I understand Scholz’s difficulties, I find the pressure of others absurd, in the end. I believe he will do what he has to do.” In the last few hours, Berlin’s position is becoming less rigid. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that he expects a decision to be made soon on whether Leopard tanks will be sent to Ukraine at the insistent request of Kiev.
Germany will not object to the possible shipment of Leopard 2 tanks from Poland to Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told the French broadcaster LCI extension. Germany, the manufacturer of the tanks, should allow the transfer of vehicles from the purchasing country – in this particular case from Poland – to Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia for nearly a year. The words of the minister said, “We were not asked the question. If we had been asked, we would not have prevented it.” So Germany will not oppose the sending of tanks? “You got it right,” said Baerbock. “We have rules regarding so-called end-use controls. Combat weapons can only be manufactured, transported and marketed with the permission of the federal government,” explains the minister. The final decision rests with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The issue has been at the center of the recent Ramstein summit, which brought together the defense ministers of countries supporting Kiev.
Yesterday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said, “We will not watch Ukraine bleed to death. Germany or not, Kyiv and Europe will win this war.” Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s very cautious stance makes many Western governments uneasy, and according to well-informed people, the tone was very heated at the NATO summit in Ramstein. The US didn’t like Germany’s choice to impose conditions on Washington: If you send the Abrams M1s, we’ll send the Leopards, Scholz said, adding that any Leopard supply to Ukraine in the near future “will happen in close coordination.” friends and allies”.
Are the French tanks in Kiev?
For its part, France does not exclude the possibility of handing over Leclerc heavy tanks to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. This was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Macron specifies three conditions for sending his Leclercs: that the supply does not escalate the conflict (which is one of the reasons the Germans were cautious), that the Ukrainian soldiers were trained, and that the capabilities of the French defense were uncompromised. In fact, according to many analysts, one of the real reasons why Zelensky didn’t fire tanks is the lack of available weapons on the old continent: Germany has less than 300 Leopard 2s, of which only 130 would be operational. France has 200 Leclerc and can give Kiev a maximum of twenty. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine has reached its 334th day.
Source: Today IT
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
