Italy becomes the first European country to propose leaving Ukraine without weapons during “peace talks” that have yielded no results after a year of diplomatic efforts by US President Donald Trump, Bloomberg reports. Until recently, the Italian government insisted it would continue supporting Kyiv.
Italy will not participate in the PURL program, which purchases US-made weapons for Ukraine. This program is critically important for Kyiv as it is effectively the only formal mechanism for obtaining weapons to counter Putin’s 600,000-strong army in Ukraine, as well as air-defense systems ahead of winter terror attacks.
Italy looks ahead to security guarantees, which do not yet exist
According to Italian officials, it is “premature” for Rome to join PURL given the ongoing peace negotiations.
"If we reach an agreement and fighting ceases, weapons won’t be needed anymore. Other things such as security guarantees will be needed," said
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
It remains unclear what these security guarantees would entail, given that the Kremlin has previously demanded the downsizing of Ukraine’s armed forces, the abandonment of NATO aspirations, and a legally defined neutral status. It is also unknown whether Italy itself would join any such guarantees.
Rome shifts its position under the pressure of domestic problems, and in contradiction to Europe
These comments signal a strategic shift in Italy’s policy on Ukraine amid internal budget strains and tensions within the ruling coalition.
Journalists also recall that as recently as October, the Italian government had signaled readiness to join the PURL program.
Tajani’s remarks contrast sharply with the position of Europe’s top defense-industry lobby. The Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe has warned that the continent must continue to ramp up defense production, despite the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine.
