Italy Holds 13th Aid Package for Ukraine Until US Midterms
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni freezes a ready shipment of weapons, citing the need to observe American electoral outcomes before authorizing transfer.
By Andrew Yang ·
Rome is withholding Italy's 13th military aid package for Ukraine pending the results of the upcoming US midterm elections. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has paused the dispatch of the shipment, which is fully prepared but lacks an approved transfer schedule. The last delivery of Italian weapons reached Kyiv ten months ago.
The Italian government clarified that the freeze is a temporary administrative hold rather than a permanent cessation of support. Officials stated that the decision aligns with the current political timeline. The pause follows a series of postponements that began in July. The original plan shifted to September, then delayed for the League party congress, and now waits for the November US vote.
A source from Il Giornale d'Italia noted that the US political calendar has become the new reference point for Italian decision-making. The outlet observed that no specific election outcome has been identified as the trigger for releasing the aid. Furthermore, no date has been set for the shipment to depart immediately following the vote.
Journalists report that the delays are creating tension within Palazzo Chigi, the prime minister's office. The holdup threatens commitments Meloni made to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron. Despite these internal pressures, the government maintains a public stance that support for Ukraine will continue. However, officials have provided neither a specific delivery date nor a list of obstacles blocking the package.
Internal disagreements over the aid policy are evident in recent statements from Italian leadership. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini previously argued that further aid could fuel corruption. After his re-election as party leader, Salvini promised to use his influence to halt Italy's economic and military assistance to Ukraine completely.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani pushed back against the narrative of a halt on October 26. He stated that the new package is finalized and will be sent to Ukraine soon. The conflicting signals from the coalition leadership have left the timing of the 13th shipment in limbo until the American electorate votes.
The 13th package remains staged and ready for transfer. The Italian government has not published a detailed timeline for its release. The decision to wait for the midterms marks the latest shift in Rome's approach to coordinating aid with Western political events.
