Italy warns weapons delivery to Ukraine should wait for peace agreement

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that it would be “premature” for the country to participate in NATO’s program to purchase US weapons for Ukraine while peace negotiations are ongoing.

“If we reach an agreement and fighting ceases, weapons won’t be needed anymore,” Tajani, who also serves as Italy’s deputy prime minister, told reporters in Brussels on December 3. “Other things, such as security guarantees, will be needed.”

The comments mark the clearest indication yet that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has shifted its approach to Ukraine after running out of funds and navigating tensions within the ruling coalition. While Rome maintains that it will continue to support Kyiv, it is the first European government to explicitly suggest that Ukraine should not receive additional weapons while a ceasefire is being negotiated.

Previously, after some hesitation, Italy had signalled readiness in October to join NATO’s so-called PURL programu. The initiative, created following a reduction in US weapons shipments to Ukraine over the summer, allows NATO allies to purchase US weapons for Ukraine.

So far, recent peace negotiations over Ukraine have yielded no meaningful results. Tajani’s position contrasts with that of the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe, the continent’s main defence lobby, which on Tuesday urged that European nations continue increasing defence production despite the prospect of a ceasefire.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has stated that it will require an additional €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in PURL shipments to maintain its defence capabilities over the winter. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said that approximately two-thirds of NATO members are currently participating in the program.

By Tamilla Hasanova