Italian government delays Ukraine aid decree amid coalition rift

The Italian government has postponed the approval process for a decree that would facilitate the flow of military aid to Ukraine next year.

Sources close to the matter, speaking to Reuters, reported that the document grants the government an authorization regime that eliminates the need to seek parliamentary approval for each new arms shipment to Kyiv.

Since Russia’s invasion began in 2022, the Rome government has sent 12 separate aid packages, including the SAMP/T air defense system.

As the current aid arrangement expires at the end of the year, the decision to extend it has been thrown into uncertainty due to political tensions within the coalition.

At the heart of the delay are deepening disagreements over Ukraine policy within the coalition led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Meloni had pledged to fully support the Kyiv government against Moscow.

However, coalition partner and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini is questioning the validity of continuing military support.

Salvini voiced his objection, arguing that recent corruption scandals in Ukraine have undermined the legitimacy and position of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to Reuters sources, the controversial decree was on the agenda for Wednesday’s cabinet meeting but was removed from the list due to a “busy schedule.”

The legal term for the current aid decision expires at the end of the year.

The new decree will take effect as soon as it is approved by the government, but parliament will need to ratify the regulation within 60 days.

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced at the NATO defense ministers’ meeting in mid-October that Italy would finance the purchase of American-made weapons for Ukraine under the PURL program.

Sources providing information to Bloomberg stated that within the program, the Kyiv government has prepared a needs list consisting of critical systems like the Patriot.

According to the plan, NATO members in Europe will purchase these weapons from Washington and deliver them to Ukraine.