In brief: Italy’s 13th aid package for Ukraine is awaiting Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti’s signature, preventing publication of the decree and the dispatch of assistance, ANSA reported. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the delay was procedural and Giorgetti supported the measure. The dispute comes as Matteo Salvini’s League presses its coalition partners to stop sending weapons to Kyiv.
Italy’s 13th aid package for Ukraine was held up by a missing ministerial signature on Tuesday, Nov. 10, as divisions over further weapons deliveries resurfaced within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition.
Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti had not signed the classified decree, a required step before it can be published and military and civilian assistance dispatched, ANSA reported.
JOIN US ON TELEGRAM
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Giorgetti supported the package and that the delay reflected a requirement to sign the document personally.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto was due to present the package to COPASIR, parliament’s intelligence and security oversight committee.
The procedural delay comes amid renewed pressure from Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s League, which opposes further arms deliveries and wants the government to pursue other channels toward peace.
ANSA reported that some governing figures expected Giorgetti to sign, warning that an unresolved confrontation could threaten the coalition during a sensitive period for negotiations over Italy’s national budget.
Tajani says Giorgetti supports the package
Speaking to Radio anch’io on Nov. 10, Tajani said he and Crosetto had already signed the decree and that the Economy Ministry had cleared it.
Giorgetti had been in Brussels for an EU finance ministers’ meeting on Nov. 9 and could not sign the classified document remotely, Tajani explained.
“As soon as he arrives in Rome, he will sign it,” Tajani said.
UN Official: Russian Weapons Are Killing Ukrainian Civilians Faster Than Ever
Later, speaking after a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Paris, Tajani reiterated that Italy’s support for Ukraine was guaranteed.
“Once the formalities have been completed, we will send the material,” he said.
Air defense supplies could feature in the package
The package’s contents remain classified. ANSA reported that assistance could include generators and air defense components, identifying Aster missiles for the SAMP/T system as a possible addition.
Italy has previously supplied the jointly developed Italian-French air defense system to Ukraine.
Crosetto has also acknowledged difficulties finding equipment that meets Kyiv’s changing needs, saying some requested supplies are no longer readily available.
The broader legal authorization underpinning Italy’s military assistance mechanism expires at the end of 2026. ANSA reported that the framework, established under former Prime Minister Mario Draghi, has been renewed four times since 2022.
Ukraine aid repeatedly divides Meloni’s coalition
The confrontation follows earlier disagreements between Salvini and ministers who favor continued support for Kyiv.
On Oct. 26, Tajani said a new military aid package was ready and would be sent as quickly as possible.
His comments responded to Salvini’s pledge to work toward ending Italy’s economic and military assistance to Ukraine. Tajani maintained that Rome would remain on Ukraine’s side for as long as necessary.
Meloni has also ruled out alliances with political forces opposed to military assistance for Kyiv, saying she would not abandon her convictions for electoral advantage.
In a September interview, she framed support for Ukraine as a matter of Italy’s own security.
“I did not support Ukraine for Kyiv, I supported Ukraine for Rome,” she said, arguing that Italy would lose out if force replaced the rules governing relations between countries.
Rome has nevertheless resisted some mechanisms for financing Ukraine’s defense.
In June, Crosetto confirmed that Italy would not fund NATO’s PURL initiative, which finances purchases of US-made weapons for Ukraine. He maintained that Italy could provide military assistance through other channels.
The position reflected a wider debate over defense spending, with Meloni emphasizing domestic living costs and energy bills while defending continued support for Ukraine.
Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.