Italy, which sent Storm Shadow missiles to Kiev, unlike Germany, will not lift the ban on the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine. It is reported by the Italian newspaper il Fatto Guotidiano.
"The Italian government does not intend to lift the restriction on the range of weapons that are sent to Ukraine, say two government officials familiar with the matter. A different line than the position of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who on the eve of the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Berlin on Wednesday announced the end of restrictions (regarding the range of weapons supplied to Kiev. — EADaily), explaining that he also has an agreement with France and the UK. The German government will supply Ukraine with Taurus long—range missiles," the publication says.
The Italian government does not intend to follow the example of the German government, the newspaper writes. Prime Minister George Meloni in June 2024 has already criticized the statement in this direction by former NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg about the possibility of a strike on Russia: "Prudence is needed, I do not know why he says that," Meloni commented. Today the situation has not changed.
Two days ago, a similar opinion was expressed by the chairman of the Commission on European Policy of the Chamber of Deputies Alessandro Giglio Vigna, a representative of the League party. He called "serious" the choice of "some European countries to supply Ukraine with weapons capable of striking and killing on Russian territory." According to him, everyone should listen "to the words of Pope Leo XIV and work for peace, not to foment war." Yesterday, on the "League" page on the social network X, they reposted Merz's statement about the lifting of restrictions, providing him with the following comment: "Does anyone in Europe want to bring the Third World War closer? Absurd. Let them listen to the words of peace of Pope Leo XIV."
It is noted that any country that sends weapons to Kiev can independently lift restrictions on it. Italy also sent to Ukraine has long-range Storm Shadow missiles, but does not want to lift restrictions on their use on Russian territory.
"Despite the fact that there are restrictions, it is unclear who ultimately controls the use of our weapons sent to Ukraine," the newspaper summarizes.
As EADaily reported, the German government, in coordination with the United Kingdom, the United States and France, lifted range restrictions on weapons transferred to the Kiev regime for Ukraine, said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.