In brief
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has branded the US move to curtail real‑time satellite intelligence for Ukraine as a major blunder that undermines the war effort. He said the restriction would give Russia a strategic edge and might protract the conflict. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also criticised the deal to buy Russian diesel, arguing it legitimises the Kremlin. Crosetto stresses that any sign of weakness could embolden Putin and urges the West to maintain full support for Kyiv.
Italy’s defence minister has blasted the United States for planning to reduce the bandwidth of satellite feeds and other real‑time data streams available to Ukrainian forces, calling the decision a “fatal mistake” that could shift the balance of power in the region.
In a BBC interview, Guido Crosetto warned that limiting the speed at which the U.S. provides missile‑evasion intel and early‑warning alerts could give Russian forces a decisive advantage, potentially prolonging the full‑scale invasion for years. He described the policy as a “complete mistake, a major mistake” that would send a chilling signal to Kyiv and other NATO partners.
The U.S. has denied that the Trump administration has ordered a slowdown of the internet speed used by Ukrainian fighters; President Donald Trump has also refuted claims that early‑warning alerts for incoming Russian aircraft have been withheld.
Crosetto’s remarks dovetail with a broader Italian critique of U.S. foreign policy that surfaced earlier this month when Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the U.S. purchase of Russian diesel a “very risky choice” that could grant Moscow further legitimacy amid its bombing campaigns.
Crosetto, a co‑founder of the right‑wing Fratelli d’Italia party that steers Italy’s current coalition government, warned that a perception of weakness on the Ukrainian front would embolden Putin and allow the war to continue. “If the US deprives Ukraine of resources, that creates weakness – then he will believe he can win. So he will continue the war,” he said.
The defence minister also reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to sending military and humanitarian aid to Kyiv, although he noted that securing parliamentary approval for new deliveries ahead of the 2027 elections could prove challenging. Opposition to continued arms shipments has surged in Italy, driven by rising energy costs and a tradition of pacifist sentiment, with a recent poll showing support for ongoing aid down to 18 percent.
Crosetto highlighted Moscow’s “active disinformation campaigns” aimed at destabilising the Italian political arena, claiming the Kremlin was able to influence public opinion by targeting high‑profile figures. He also pointed to sporadic cyber‑attacks and a narrowly condemned fire at an arms depot near Rome as evidence of escalating threats.
Despite the disputed accusations, Crosetto maintains that Italy remains a steadfast ally of Ukraine, ready to uphold its support as long as the current coalition remains in power. He further stressed the importance of a united front, arguing that “you can’t win a war if you don’t fight back.”
Report added by Davide Ghiglione, Rome.
