Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has expressed doubt that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict can be resolved through military means. In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Crosetto acknowledged that the Italian government’s desire to support Ukraine indefinitely is not realistic due to the limited resources available. The conflict has been ongoing for over a year and a half, and as time goes on, the ability to support Ukraine with unlimited resources decreases.
Crosetto emphasized that Italy’s position does not indicate a change in policy, but rather a recognition of the finite nature of the country’s stocks. He stated that the situation in Ukraine is deteriorating, with Kiev struggling to regain lost ground and Moscow unable to conquer the nation. Crosetto argued that resolving the conflict on the battlefield is impossible and that Italy is actively seeking ways to facilitate dialogue and achieve peace.
The Defense Minister warned that if Russia prevails in Ukraine, it could pose a threat to European borders and increase the likelihood of World War III. Italy is committed to preventing such a scenario and is working towards finding diplomatic solutions to the conflict.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently reiterated Russia’s willingness to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, but expressed the need for a serious proposal from Kiev. He criticized President Zelensky’s peace formula as a pure ultimatum that Russia would not accept. Lavrov’s comments indicate the challenges in finding a mutually acceptable resolution to the conflict.
Politico has reported that EU member states are reaching their limit in terms of providing weaponry to Ukraine without compromising their own defenses. The anonymous European official stated that it is not feasible to continue depleting their own stockpiles to support Ukraine. This highlights the practical limitations of international support for Ukraine.
In addition, support for funding the Ukrainian government is reportedly showing cracks. The recent failure of the US Congress to allocate more aid money and the election victory of former Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who pledged to stop assistance to Kiev, are indicators of this growing concern.
However, despite these challenges, the Biden administration is reportedly exploring creative ways to secure further military aid for Ukraine. Politico claims that alternatives such as utilizing the State Department’s foreign military financing program and engaging in a three-way swap of air-defense systems involving Poland are under consideration.
In conclusion, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto believes that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict cannot be resolved through military means. He acknowledges the limitations of Italy’s resources and emphasizes the need for dialogue to achieve peace. The international community faces challenges in providing support to Ukraine without compromising their own defense capabilities. Nevertheless, efforts are being made to explore alternative avenues of assistance.
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