Trump 'completely wrong' to restrict support for Ukraine, Italian minister tells BBC

What the report says

Italy’s defence minister, Guido Crosetto, has told the BBC that it would be a serious mistake for the United States to curb Ukraine’s access to satellite systems and intelligence used in its defence against Russian attacks. Speaking in Rome, he argued that weakening Kyiv would not hasten peace and could instead prolong Russia’s full-scale invasion. He said such a move by Donald Trump’s administration would make little sense if the aim is to push Moscow toward negotiations.

The comments come amid growing tension between Rome and Washington over policy on Ukraine. According to the BBC report, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also recently criticized Trump’s dealings with Russia, while Crosetto said Italy would continue military support for Ukraine for as long as the current government remains in office. He added, however, that gaining parliamentary approval for further aid could become harder as elections approach.

The interview also reflected wider debate inside Italy, where public support for sending weapons to Ukraine has weakened and energy prices remain a concern. Crosetto blamed Russian disinformation for shaping some public opinion and said Europe has not responded strongly enough to cyberattacks and other pressure from Moscow. The BBC reported that Italy has remained a key political and military backer of Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion, even as domestic skepticism has grown.