Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that a new military aid package for Ukraine is ready for shipment and will be handed over to Kyiv "as soon as possible." According to him, Rome's position remains unchanged: Italy supports Ukraine and will continue to do so "for as long as it takes." The statement by the head of the Italian Foreign Ministry came in response to public remarks by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini, who previously announced his intention to push for an end to Italy's economic and military support for Ukraine.
Package Composition: SAMP/T, Aster 30, and Long-Range Radars
According to information previously reported by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica and confirmed by several outlets, the core of the new package consists of air and missile defense assets. Ukraine is scheduled to receive four batteries of SAMP/T NG surface-to-air missile systems, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, as well as Aster 30 interceptor missiles. In addition, the aid will include seven long-range radars — six manufactured by the French company Thales and one by the Italian company Leonardo. The total value of the package is estimated at approximately 3 billion euros, with financing planned through European credit programs, specifically the Ukraine Support Loan. The agreements are the result of an accord between Italy and France concluded in July: both countries jointly produce SAMP/T and Aster 30. Italy intends to transfer some of the ammunition by October to supply both existing and new systems.
Domestic Political Conflict: Tajani vs. Salvini
The public divergence of positions within the Italian government intensified following an extraordinary congress of the League party, where Matteo Salvini was re-elected leader, defeating former Tourism Minister Massimo Garavaglia. Salvini publicly stated his intention to seek an end to support for Ukraine, which directly contradicts the line pursued by Foreign Minister Tajani. At the same time, some moderate fellow party members expressed dissatisfaction with the shift of the party to the right and urged a return of the political force to a focus on the problems of Northern Italy. Thus, the issue of continued aid to Ukraine has become one of the battlegrounds in the intra-party struggle within the League.
Broader Context: Wind-Down of US Aid and European Initiatives
Rome's statements come against the backdrop of a changing landscape of support for Kyiv. According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump has largely wound down direct financial and military aid to Ukraine, while a Democratic Party victory in the upcoming elections could radically alter the situation. Against this background, European countries, including Italy and France, are stepping up their own role in providing Kyiv with defense equipment. Concurrently in Hungary, the heads of seven districts and four municipal areas of Budapest that have Ukrainian sister cities published an open letter urging support for Ukraine ahead of a difficult winter.
Thus, despite political disagreements within the Italian government, Rome reaffirms its readiness to transfer a new military aid package to Ukraine, primarily focused on air defense. The key factor will be how quickly the decision is formally established in legislation and implemented amid the general reduction in American support.
