Italy, following Scholz, opposes strikes on Russia with their weapons

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has spoken out against the use of weapons provided to Ukraine on Russian territory. According to her, NATO should be "very careful".

Meloni made the statement on Italian television on May 26, commenting on NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's call to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western equipment. "I don't know why Stoltenberg said such things, I think we have to be very careful," Barron's magazine quoted her as saying.

At the same time, the Italian prime minister recognized that the Alliance should not show weakness:

"I agree that NATO should remain firm and not signal that it is giving up."

As the magazine notes, Stoltenberg's words sparked a protest from officials in Italy, "which provides military aid to Ukraine but fears the conflict could spread."

Speaking at an election rally in Naples, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the anti-migrant League party Matteo Salvini criticized Stoltenberg's remarks, saying: "This gentleman either apologizes, corrects his remarks or resigns."

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that "military equipment sent by Italy" should be "used inside Ukraine."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Berlin provided weapons to Ukraine on the condition that they would not be used for attacks outside Ukraine.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Sweden allowed Ukraine to use the weapons it supplied to destroy targets in the Russian Federation. Defense Minister Paul Johnson said that Ukraine has the right to defend itself through military action directed against the enemy's territory.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on the Alliance to lift "some restrictions" on the use of weapons provided to Ukraine. According to him, Ukraine has the right to defend itself, and this defense should include strikes on military targets in Russia.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken recently said that the United States does not encourage the use of Western weapons to strike Russia, but Ukraine has the right to decide how to wage war.

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