Crosetto to the BBC, 'serious mistake in limiting Kiev's access to satellites'

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said it was a "complete mistake, a grave mistake" for the United States to limit access to satellite systems and intelligence information used by Ukraine to defend itself against Russian attacks. In an interview with the BBC, the minister warned that such a move by the Trump administration "makes absolutely no sense" and risks prolonging Russia's full-scale invasion rather than helping to bring peace.

"Peace will come when Putin is convinced that there is a stalemate, that he cannot advance further - declared Crosetto, interviewed at the ministry's headquarters in Rome - If he sees weaknesses on the Ukrainian side, and if the United States deprives Ukraine of resources, this creates weakness, then he will believe he can win. So the war will continue", warned Crosetto. “I think that's completely wrong.” The defense minister promised that Italian military support would continue "as long as this government is in office", while warning that getting Parliament's approval for further deliveries will be "more difficult" as the elections approach. He further stated: "When a state crosses the border of another state with tanks, when it bombs hospitals and schools, kills civilians and bombs power plants, and has been doing so for four years, I can only call it evil."

Commenting on the skeptical position of part of Italian public opinion regarding aid to Ukraine, Crosetto also attributed the blame to an active disinformation campaign conducted by Moscow, aimed, in his words, at "certain political figures... and to spread narratives aimed at weakening the political climate hostile to Russia". "Somehow they influence public opinion - the minister argued - It is very difficult to explain to a citizen who has problems at the petrol station that at the moment we cannot make any concessions to Russia. But this is the only way to protect the future of that citizen who complains".

Unlike Ukraine's other allies in Europe, Italy was not the target of major acts of sabotage, the BBC recalls, and the fire that broke out in an arms depot on the outskirts of Rome in August was not malicious, but the result, according to Crosetto, of "human stupidity". However, the minister spoke of cyber attacks: "There are hundreds of them every day".