Crosetto to Propose Extending Italy’s Ukraine Military Aid Into 2027

Italy’s defense minister will seek to prolong into 2027 the decree-based framework Rome uses to send military aid to Ukraine. The move sets up a fresh test for a ruling coalition divided over arming Kyiv.

Guido Crosetto made the pledge during Question Time in the Italian Senate on Thursday, according to ANSA. The government is preparing its 13th military assistance package since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

The proposal places Crosetto at odds with Matteo Salvini, leader of the League and deputy prime minister, who opposes further weapons transfers to Ukraine.

An Extension, Not yet Law

Crosetto was answering Senator Carlo Calenda of Azione. Calenda had asked about the next aid decree for Kyiv in light of Salvini’s opposition.

“The new aid package for Kyiv will be discussed at Copasir next week. I will also propose extending the decree-based mechanism into next year—a mechanism that was not initiated by the Meloni government,” Crosetto said, according to ANSA.

The current legal basis expires at the end of this year. Decree-law no. 201 of 31 December 2025 was converted into law no. 27 on 27 February 2026. It authorizes transfers of military and civil-defense equipment to Ukrainian authorities until 31 December 2026.

The 2027 extension remains an intention rather than an enacted measure. Reuters, via The Straits Times, reported that it is unclear whether Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will seek parliamentary approval for next year with general elections approaching.

Draghi-Era Origins

Crosetto framed the mechanism as a cross-party inheritance rather than a creation of the current government.

“Some people seem to have forgotten that this mechanism was chosen and voted for by the Draghi government, with the support of virtually all the parties now in the opposition as well as those in the majority. … if it was right then, it is difficult to explain why it would be wrong now,” he said, according to ANSA.

He added that, as far as he was concerned, the government would hold to the line it has followed for four years. Adnkronos reported that he said Italy would honor its commitments to European NATO allies, the Ukraine contact group and Ukraine.

Speaking on the margins of the session, Crosetto said the decrees had never sent “una lira” to Kyiv. He said they transfer equipment, not cash, according to ANSA.

He also rejected arguments that an Italian withdrawal would end the war. Other countries would continue aiding Ukraine, he said, and Russian resolve would grow if Kyiv could no longer resist.

The 13th Package

The new package has already been prepared and would be Italy’s first military consignment of 2026, according to LaPresse and Reuters. Crosetto is scheduled to appear before Copasir, the Parliamentary Committee for the Security of the Republic, on 10 November.

The previous package was approved roughly a year earlier. Its successor was delayed amid splits within the coalition.

In October, Crosetto said Italy had delivered 12 packages and expected to approve another before the end of the year.

The contents are classified. Reuters, citing sources, reported that the package could include Aster interceptor missiles for the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air-defense system. Rome has not confirmed this.

The reported focus on air defense follows earlier accounts of Italy preparing to covertly send Ukraine interceptors and air-defense systems.

Italy’s contributions remain below those of Germany and the U.K., according to Reuters and The Straits Times.

Shifting Requests From Kyiv

Crosetto said changes on the battlefield had altered what Ukraine is asking for. According to Adnkronos and ANSA, he said Ukraine’s interception rate had dropped from about 90% to about 10%.

He attributed the decline to advances in Russian technology, including faster Shahed-type drones.

Kyiv is also requesting items that are no longer available, Crosetto said. He added that this has reduced the intensity of the packages.

Coalition Fault Lines

Salvini opposes further weapons deliveries to Ukraine and has often objected to economic support as well. Calenda’s question was framed explicitly around that opposition.

Neither Meloni nor Salvini has publicly denied that Crosetto put forward the extension. Salvini’s objection concerns the policy itself.

Antonio Tajani, the foreign minister and Forza Italia leader, has defended continued support. In late October, he said the next package was ready.

Meloni has backed Ukraine throughout. According to ANSA, she said the policy may cost her politically but that she would not change course.

In late October, the cabinet extended by 12 months the emergency provisions linked to the aid effort.