Italy's 13th Ukraine Aid Package Held for 10 Months as Meloni Cites US Vote
Italy's Prime Minister has not approved a dispatch date for a fully prepared military shipment as delays strain commitments made to Kyiv and Paris.
By Alina Carter ·
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has not approved the dispatch of a fully prepared 13th military aid package for Ukraine, with the last shipment of Italian weapons arriving in Kyiv 10 months ago. The timing of the transfer to Ukraine remains pending the results of the US midterm elections for Congress.
The Italian government stated the delay does not signal an end to assistance. The shipment has been postponed repeatedly, with explanations citing a schedule shift from July to September, the League party congress, and now the US elections. Officials have not announced a delivery date or listed the specific conditions required to release the package.
Journalists reported that the delays have created tensions inside Palazzo Chigi, the prime minister's office, and have put commitments made to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron at risk. The government continues to state publicly that "support for Ukraine will continue."
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on 26 October that the package had been finalized and would soon be sent to Ukraine. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has argued that additional aid could "fuel corruption" and, after being re-elected as party leader, promised to work toward stopping Italy's economic and military support for Ukraine.
The Italian government has not indicated which election outcome would facilitate a decision, nor has it scheduled a dispatch for immediately following the vote.
