Trump 'completely wrong' to restrict support for Ukraine, Italian minister tells BBC

Italy’s defence minister, Guido Crosetto, said the United States should not restrict the systems and information Ukraine relies on during Russia’s invasion. He specifically named satellite systems and intelligence. These capabilities help Ukraine detect threats, communicate, and plan defensive operations. Crosetto called any restriction a major mistake.

The article also discusses satellite internet, whose speeds US support helps provide to Ukraine. That connection is described as vital to Ukraine’s war effort. Trump’s administration said the president had not ordered a slowdown. Trump also denied that the United States had stopped sharing alerts about incoming Russian aerial attacks.

The issue matters because these forms of support affect Ukraine’s ability to respond to attacks and avoid battlefield weakness. Crosetto warned that removing them could encourage Russia to continue fighting. The article does not state that restrictions were ultimately imposed; it reports denials from US officials and Trump.

Satellite communications send data through satellites orbiting Earth rather than relying only on ground networks. In wartime, they can provide internet, voice links, and data when local infrastructure is damaged or unavailable. Military intelligence is information about an opponent’s forces, movements, capabilities, and plans. Early-warning alerts are rapid notices that an attack, such as an incoming aircraft or missile strike, may be approaching.

Ukraine uses these tools in connected ways. Satellite internet supports communication and access to information. Intelligence helps commanders understand Russian activity and choose defensive responses. Early warnings give people and military units time to react to aerial threats. The article describes US-provided internet as vital to Ukraine’s war effort and refers to alerts about Russian attacks.

The practical importance is speed and coordination. Losing connectivity or intelligence can leave defenders less informed and less able to respond. US officials said Trump had not ordered slower internet speeds. Trump also denied that Washington had stopped sharing early-warning alerts, so the article presents those claims as disputed rather than established changes.

The article reports that support for continuing to send weapons to Ukraine stood at just 18% in one poll. The survey was conducted for the Ixè institute in September. It reflects a sharp gap between the Italian government’s policy and the broader public mood. The article says polls regularly show that most Italians want military aid to end.

This low support exists alongside rising energy and fuel prices, public protests, and complaints that money is being diverted from education to weapons. The article also points to Italy’s long pacifist tradition, business ties to Moscow, and physical distance from the war. Crosetto additionally blamed Russian disinformation for influencing public opinion.

The figure creates pressure on the government as elections approach. Crosetto promised military support would continue while Meloni’s government remains in office. However, he warned that winning parliamentary approval for further deliveries would become harder. The article gives no newer national percentage, so 18% is the specific figure provided.

Crosetto’s argument is based on deterrence. He says peace requires Vladimir Putin to believe that Russia has reached a stalemate and cannot advance further. If Ukraine loses access to intelligence, communications, or other resources, its military position may weaken. Crosetto believes Putin could interpret that weakness as evidence that victory remains possible.

The article gives a clear chain of cause and effect. US-provided satellite internet is vital to Ukraine’s war effort, while intelligence and aerial warnings help it respond to Russian attacks. Restricting those capabilities could reduce Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. Crosetto therefore says such a move would make “absolutely no sense” and could prolong the invasion.

His view is that pressure for negotiations works better when Russia cannot make further gains. He warned that weakening Ukraine may remove that pressure. The United States denied some reported restrictions, including slower internet speeds and halted early-warning alerts. The article therefore presents Crosetto’s warning alongside US denials.

Italy’s government decides its policy toward Ukraine, and Meloni’s coalition has supported Ukraine with military and humanitarian aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Crosetto said Italian military support would continue for as long as this government remains in office. The details of deliveries are classified, so the article does not list the weapons sent.

Parliament has a direct role because further deliveries require approval. Crosetto warned that securing this approval would become more difficult as elections approach. Public opinion is also an important pressure. An Ixè poll cited in the article found only 18% support for continuing arms supplies, while protests have opposed spending on weapons.

The next election must take place by the end of 2027. Polls currently place Futuro Nazionale, led by former general Roberto Vannacci, ahead of Meloni’s coalition partners. Vannacci opposes aid to Ukraine and is sympathetic to Russia. A changing parliament or government could therefore make continued Italian support less certain.

A military stalemate means neither side can make decisive progress. Crosetto argues that this condition can create a stronger reason for Vladimir Putin to negotiate. If Russia sees that Ukraine can still defend its territory, the expected gains from continuing the war may shrink. The article presents this as an alternative to concessions that might reward Russian pressure.

The mechanism is straightforward. Support for Ukraine, including intelligence and communications, helps prevent battlefield weakness. If those resources are reduced, Crosetto says Putin may believe Russia can win and may continue attacking. Meloni similarly criticized Trump’s proposed diesel deal with Russia, saying it could grant Russia legitimacy and run against efforts to bring Putin to the negotiating table.

This approach does not promise immediate peace. It seeks to change Russia’s calculation before negotiations. Crosetto said peace would come when Putin was convinced there was a stalemate and could not advance. The article contrasts that position with public pressure in Italy to reduce military aid and with Vannacci’s opposition to helping Ukraine.

National sovereignty means a state has authority over its own territory and political affairs. Territorial borders are meant to mark where that authority applies. The article describes Russia crossing Ukraine’s border with tanks and attacking hospitals, schools, civilians, and power plants. Crosetto called this conduct evil and said it had continued for four years.

The war therefore matters beyond Ukraine’s immediate battlefield. If force can change borders or weaken a neighboring state without resistance, other countries may feel less secure. The article notes that Italy is supporting Ukraine alongside other European allies, while Poland and the Baltic states feel physically closer to the danger. It also describes Ukraine’s defense as connected to European security concerns.

Italy’s support combines military and humanitarian aid, despite strong public skepticism. Crosetto argues that helping Ukraine resist aggression protects the future of citizens who are also facing higher energy and fuel costs. The article shows a continuing tension between defending these principles and responding to domestic economic and political pressure.