Italy opposes the use in Russia of weapons supplied to Ukraine

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday reiterated her opposition to the use on Russian soil of weapons supplied to Ukraine, after the NATO chief reportedly suggested letting kyiv strike targets beyond its borders.

According to Italian media, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the British weekly The Economist that Ukraine's allies should consider letting it use NATO-supplied weapons to hit targets in Russia, rather than limiting their use to Ukrainian territory.

“I don't know why Stoltenberg said such a thing, I think we have to be very careful,” Meloni told Italian television, adding that “I agree that NATO must remain firm and do not give the signal to give in.”

Ukraine regularly launches strikes across the Russian border, particularly in the Belgorod region, a tactic it sees as fair retaliation for fighting since Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022.

According to The Economist, Ukraine has so far used locally produced drones for its strikes against Russia.

“The time has come for the allies to think about whether they should lift some of the restrictions they have placed on the use of the weapons they have given to Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said in the interview with Economist published Friday.

“Denying Ukraine the ability to use these weapons against legitimate military targets on Russian territory makes it very difficult for it to defend itself,” he said.

The comments sparked an outcry from Italian officials, who provide military aid to Ukraine but fear the conflict could spread.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Naples, Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister and leader of the Anti-Migrant League, blasted Stoltenberg's comments, saying: “This gentleman asks for forgiveness, corrects his remarks or resigns.”

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that “the military equipment sent by Italy” must “be used inside Ukraine.”

On Thursday, ahead of Stoltenberg's interview, Moscow denounced Washington's growing calls for Ukraine to be allowed to fire donated U.S. weapons toward Russia.

“We know that among American senators and members of Congress, there are many hotheads who consider it their duty to continue to add fuel to the fire,” declared the spokesperson for the Kremlin, Dmitri Peskov, in a video published by Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.

Peskov condemned “an absolutely irresponsible position” that could have “dangerous consequences.”