Italy's Meloni voices concern over NATO chief's dangerous remarks
3 Min Read
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently suggested Ukraine's allies to consider allowing Kiev to strike targets beyond its borders.
-
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, gestures during a meeting with her Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati, at the government palace, in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP)
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday voiced her strong opposition to the use of NATO-supplied weapons on Russian soil.
Her comments come after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg suggested Ukraine's allies consider allowing Kiev to strike targets beyond its borders.
In an interview with The Economist on Friday, Stoltenberg said that NATO allies should rethink restrictions on the use of donated weaponry, allowing Ukraine to target military sites within Russia.
"To deny Ukraine the possibility of using these weapons against legitimate military targets on Russian territory makes it very hard for them to defend themselves," he said.
In reaction to these remarks, Meloni expressed her concerns during an appearance on Italian television, saying, "I don't know why Stoltenberg said such a thing, I think we have to be very careful."
While she maintained that NATO should remain steadfast and not appear to be capitulating, she firmly opposed extending the use of weapons supplied to Ukraine for attacks inside Russia.
Read more: Ukraine, NATO pressuring US to allow missile strikes on Russia
Other recent controversial remarks made by the NATO chief include levelling accusations against China for allegedly "fueling the war in Europe".
In an interview with the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, Stoltenberg said there was an increase in the sale of Chinese machine parts, microelectronics, and other technologies essential for Russia's military industry.
Despite the tensions, Stoltenberg made it clear that NATO had no plans to deploy troops to Ukraine or extend the alliance's air defense umbrella to the country. "NATO will not be a part of the conflict," he reaffirmed.
Italy's leadership criticizes NATO
Italy, which has been providing military aid to Ukraine, shares significant apprehension about the conflict potentially escalating. Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister and leader of the League party, harshly criticized Stoltenberg's comments during an election rally in Naples. "This gentleman either asks for forgiveness, rectifies his remarks or resigns," Salvini declared.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also underscored Italy's stance, asserting that "the military equipment sent by Italy" must "be used inside Ukraine."
Ukraine has regularly launched strikes into Russian territory, particularly targeting the Belgorod region, as part of its counter-offensive strategy since the onset of Moscow's special military operation. But according to The Economist, Ukraine has thus far relied on domestically produced drones for these cross-border strikes.
Before Stoltenberg's remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the growing calls from Washington for Ukraine to be allowed to use American-supplied weaponry against Russia.
Peskov labeled this approach as "an absolutely irresponsible position" and warned of "dangerous consequences."
Read more: US weapons employed beyond Ukraine conflict zone, says Lavrov
