The response of the government of Giorgia Meloni to the opposition of Matteo Salvini to the new aid to Ukraine came with an announcement: on December 2nd the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, will present the 12th package of weapons to Kiev at Copasir. And confirmation of the position comes at the end of the Supreme Defense Council: “Italy's full support for Ukraine in the defense of its freedom. The twelfth decree of military aid fits into this sense,” reads the Quirinale press release at the end of the meeting chaired by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella.
The meeting of the constitutionally relevant body that deals with issues concerning security and national defense lasted 3 hours . Sitting around the table with Mattarela were the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, the Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, the Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, the Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, the Economy Minister, Giancarlo Giorgetti ; the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso and the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano. As is customary, the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council, Alfredo Mantovano were also present; the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Ugo Zampetti and the Advisor to the President of the Republic for the Affairs of the Supreme Defence Council, Francesco Saverio Garofani. Salvini, as Minister of Infrastructure, is not a member of the Supreme Defence Council: therefore, the only member of the Northern League present was Giorgetti.
At the end of the meeting, it was emphasized that"the conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of easing." Thus, the Council"notes with concern Russia's determination to pursue, at all costs, its objectives of territorial annexation," recalling that "Kiev remains the target of ongoing bombings against critical and civilian infrastructure, resulting in serious power outages and numerous casualties," and that "the price borne by the population is increasingly heavy and unfair." Hence, the confirmation of the twelfth military aid package for Ukraine, as well as the fundamental"participation in European Union and NATO initiatives to support Kiev and work for the future reconstruction of the country."
The rearmament policy was also confirmed."The conflict has shown a transformation in the conduct of military actions especially with regard to the use of drones, which Russia also uses to violate the airspace of NATO and European Union countries", the statement reads."If on the one hand these actions have confirmed the readiness of the Atlantic Alliance, on the other – it adds – they also highlight the need for Europe to adapt its capabilities to new scenarios through the definition of innovation projects such as those contained in the White Paper for Defence 2030."
The situation in the Middle East was also at the center of the summit. The Council"welcomes the achievement of a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages," the final statement reads."The continuing episodes of violence, which are causing a high number of civilian casualties, are of great concern," and it is specified that "it must be reiterated that the sentiments aroused by the events in Gaza cannot merge with the despicable sentiments of anti-Semitism, which today sometimes appear to be resurfacing." It also emphasizes that "lasting peace in the region is only possible through the recognition and implementation of the 'two peoples, two states' solution," stating that "a fundamental interlocutor for Italy and the international community" is "the Palestinian National Authority." The Council also denounces "the repetition of unacceptable attacks by Israel on the UNIFIL contingent, currently led by Italy." Finally, it was also assessed that"the potential threats arising from hostile presences in the Mediterranean deserve careful consideration also by NATO."
