“I think Putin doesn’t want to stop at Ukraine. That’s why Europe is worried and that’s why we, as Europe and as NATO, are preparing. Hoping that this madness doesn’t happen.” These are the words of the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, who gave an interview to the BBC.
“We are preparing for madness…”
Crosetto explains that most of the Russian budget “is now invested in weapons and military spending. Soon they will have a million and a half soldiers. If the war ended tomorrow, what would Putin do with a million and a half soldiers?”. He adds: “We are preparing for madness, hoping to never have to face it, but preparing for the possibility of madness on the part of Russia.”
The attack on the USA
Crosetto’s words mark a further distance between Italy and the USA. Crosetto defines the American administration’s choice to reduce military assistance to Ukraine as a “total mistake”. “You can’t do something like this – he explains – it makes absolutely no sense and does not contribute to bringing peace. Peace will come when Putin is convinced that his military force can no longer advance; if instead he perceives weakness on the Ukrainian side – or a lack of resources – then he will believe he can win and will continue the war. This gives him a reason to keep fighting, rather than stop.”
The Defense Minister then assures that Italian military support will continue “as long as this government is in office”, while warning that obtaining Parliament’s approval for further deliveries will be “more difficult” as the elections approach.