Italy reportedly delays 13th military aid package for Ukraine until after US midterm elections
Italy's 13th military aid package for Ukraine is reportedly ready but on hold, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni waiting for the US midterm elections before deciding on shipment dates.
Package ready, shipment on hold
Italy's thirteenth military aid package for Ukraine is reportedly fully prepared, but no shipment schedule has been approved. According to Italian outlets, the last Italian weapons delivery reached Ukraine about ten months ago (ЗМІ: Мелоні блокує новий пакет допомоги Україні до виборів у США – Європейська правда) (Мелоні заморозила новий пакет військової допомоги Україні до виборів у США – ЗМІ – Українська правда) (Спершу липень, потім вересень, тепер вибори у США: Італія знову відкладає допомогу Україні – TSN).
Repeated delays
The transfer has been pushed back several times. First, the package was expected in July; the wait was then moved to September, and later linked to a congress of the League party. Now the US midterm elections, scheduled for 3 November, have become the reference point. Italian reports do not specify which election outcome would prompt a decision, nor whether shipment would follow immediately after the vote.
Government position and political pressure
The Italian government says it has not ruled out support and has not abandoned aid altogether, though officials have not named a delivery date. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has said he will put a halt to weapons supplies to Ukraine to a vote, adding pressure within the governing coalition. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has said a new package is ready, responding to Salvini's criticism of support for Kyiv.
Commitments at stake
Reports say the delay strains relations within Rome's government and puts at risk commitments Meloni made to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron. Media say the delay does not amount to a formal break with Paris or Kyiv, but the timing of future deliveries remains unclear.
Sources
- #Italy
- #Ukraine
- #MilitaryAid
- #GiorgiaMeloni
- #USMidtermElections
- #NATO
- #UkraineAidPackage
Story graph
Connected stories
Italy reportedly delays 13th military aid package for Ukraine until after US midterm elections
Italy's 13th military aid package for Ukraine is reportedly ready but on hold, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni waiting for the US midterm elections before d…