The key facts

  • Guido Crosetto: the US restriction of intelligence and satellite communications for Ukraine 'makes no sense' and risks prolonging the war
  • Meloni earlier called Trump's deal with Putin to buy Russian diesel a 'very risky choice'
  • Ixè poll in September: only 18% of Italians support continuing arms supplies to Ukraine

Criticism of US Policy from Rome

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, in an interview with the BBC, called the United States' restriction of Ukraine's access to satellite systems and intelligence used for protection against Russian attacks 'a complete mistake, a major mistake.' According to him, such a step by the Donald Trump administration 'makes absolutely no sense' and risks prolonging Russia's full-scale invasion rather than bringing peace closer. At the same time, American officials stated that Trump did not ask to slow down the internet speed that the US provides to Ukraine, and Trump himself denied stopping the transfer of warnings about Russian air attacks to Ukraine.

Meloni Against Trump's and Putin's Deal

Crosetto's comments continue Italy's escalating criticism of the US. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Trump's arrangement to purchase diesel fuel from Russia 'a very risky choice' and said it 'grants Russia legitimacy' while it bombs Ukrainian cities. Trump agreed on the deal with Vladimir Putin, placing responsibility on Kyiv for rising fuel prices caused by attacks on Russian refineries. Meloni, who was previously called 'Trump's whisperer,' said the move contradicts efforts to bring Putin to the negotiating table.

Crosetto's Position on the War

'Peace will come when Putin is convinced that there is a stalemate, that he cannot advance further,' Crosetto said in an interview with the BBC in Rome. He warned: if Putin sees weakness on the Ukrainian side — and depriving Ukraine of American resources creates such weakness — he will believe he can win and will continue the war. Crosetto, a co-founder of the Brothers of Italy party, whose ruling coalition has been in power since 2022, called Russia's actions evil: 'When a state crosses the border of another state with tanks, bombs hospitals and schools, kills civilians and bombs power plants, and does this for four years, I can only describe it as evil.'

Support for Ukraine and Domestic Politics

Despite public skepticism, Meloni's government has been a strong ally of Ukraine from the very beginning, providing military and humanitarian aid; details of supplies have always been kept secret. Crosetto promised that military support will continue 'as long as this government is in power,' but warned that with elections approaching (no later than the end of 2027), approving new supplies in parliament will become 'more difficult.' According to polls, the new far-right party Futuro Nazionale, led by former general Roberto Vannacci, outperforms all of Meloni's coalition partners. Vannacci openly sympathizes with Russia and opposes aid to Ukraine; at a recent event in Tuscany he called himself 'neither pro-Russian nor pro-Putin, but pro-Italian.' Crosetto brushed off questions about Vannacci, saying he has 'more serious matters' to attend to.

Public Opinion and Disinformation

Italians, like many Europeans, face rising prices due to expensive energy. At street protests in Rome on Friday, schoolchildren complained that resources are going to weapons instead of education, and in the south of the country truckers began blocking roads over rising fuel prices. Polls regularly show that a majority of Italians want an end to military aid to Ukraine: a September poll by the Ixè institute recorded only 18% support for continuing arms supplies. Crosetto cited a pacifist tradition, historical business ties with Moscow, and geographic distance from the threat among the reasons, but also accused Moscow of an active disinformation campaign affecting public opinion. He admitted that 'it is very difficult to explain to a citizen who has problems at the gas station that we cannot make concessions to Russia, but this is the only way to protect the future of that very citizen.'

Cyberattacks and Sabotage

Italy, unlike other European allies of Ukraine, has not been the target of major acts of sabotage. Crosetto said that the fire at an arms depot near Rome in August was not arson but 'human stupidity,' and a report about Russia's plans to launch drone attacks on Italy, France and Spain from container ships in the Mediterranean was not confirmed. However, cyberattacks, which he links to Russia, have, in his words, become routine — 'there are hundreds of them every day' — and, in his view, Europe has responded too weakly: 'You cannot win a war if you do not fight back.'

Guido Crosetto poses wearing a suit in front of the Italian and EU flags.
Image caption,

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has warned against showing any weakness to Russia's Vladimir Putin

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) arrive for a joint press conference at the end of their talks at Chigi Palace government office in Rome, Italy, on April 15, 2026Image source, Anadolu via Getty Images
Image caption,

Italy's prime minister has become a close ally of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky

A 2022 picture of police hold a person with blond hair during a protest in Moscow against the war in UkraineSen. Jeanne Shaheen, who has short brown hair and is wearing a blazer with a black and white dogtooth pattern, a white top and gold jewellery, talks with reporters during votes in the US Capitol on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. A Ukrainian soldier uses the Starlink system during an exercise in 2023.