Italy approves extension of military aid to Ukraine

The Italian government on Tuesday approved a decree-law extending by one year the provision of weapons, vehicles and equipment to Ukraine.

That's according to ANSA, Ukrinform reports.

The Italian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the supplies would include weapons, power generators and "everything necessary to support military operations to protect the unarmed civilian population."

"I would like to point out that there is no political problem on support for Ukraine within the government majority, which intends to respect the role and scrutiny of parliament. Italy has chosen to be on the side of the freedom of nations and respect for international law, with the aim of reaching, in line with the position taken by NATO and EU allies, a just and lasting peace," Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said.

He added that the prolongation of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, in an international scenario aggravated by the Middle East crisis and the war between Israel and Hamas, requires the Meloni government to make a choice of coherence and support and, therefore, of an extension of aid to Ukraine, in line with the international commitments "made by Italy in the EU and NATO."

The decree-law, which extends until the end of 2024 military aid to Ukraine in the war sparked by Russia's invasion in February 2022, must now be approved by parliament.