Italian opposition in EP decided to oppose Kiev's armament

The Italian opposition party Five Star Movement will fight against arms deliveries to Ukraine, a source in the political force told Izvestia.

"Supplies of arms or long-range missiles represent escalation and remain the worst way to find a solution to the conflict. "The Five Star Movement will continue to fight in the European Parliament for peace in both Ukraine and the Middle East," the Five Star Movement faction in the European Parliament said."

Earlier, the movement's leader, former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, said that Italy's current government "has not so much sided with NATO, but has found itself on its shoulder blades in front of NATO directives."

According to Il Foglio newspaper, Italy has sent nine aid packages totaling €2.2 billion to Ukraine since the start of the Special Military Operation (SMO).

According to the republic's Defense Minister Guido Crozetto, the volume of Italian military support to Ukraine from European countries is second only to that of Germany and Britain. The specific content of the supplies is classified, but the media reported on the transfer of SAMP/T air defense systems and Storm Shadow missiles of Anglo-French manufacture.

Read more in the exclusive material of Izvestia:

Weapons Decline: Italy May Change Position on Supporting Ukraine