With 186 votes in favor, 49 against, and 81 abstentions, the Chamber of Deputies approved the majority resolution on Kiev which, among other things, commits the government "to continue to support Ukraine , in coordination with NATO, the European Union, the G7 countries, and international allies, through a contribution consistent with the commitments undertaken and aimed at defending the population, critical infrastructure, and ultimately the overall security of the European continent."
The document also commits to "enhancing the strengthening of civilian aid." The term "military" support is not included in the commitments but appears in the preamble.
However, the Lega controversy is erupting within the majority. Two MPs from Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini's party voted against the resolution. Rossano Sasso and Edoardo Ziello confirmed their position at the end of the session. "Lexical acrobatics aside, the substance hasn't changed," Ziello explained. Furthermore, only about twenty Lega MPs were present on the benches, and all the ministers were absent.
Before the vote (which also approved some of the commitments outlined in the resolutions by the Democratic Party, Italy, Italy, and +EU, though the Five Star Movement and Italy's People's Party voted against them), Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated in his statement: "There are no good or bad means, but there are means that can be used negatively or positively. A weapon is a negative thing when it is used against someone, but when a weapon prevents another weapon from falling on a hospital, a power plant, or a building, that's a different matter. The spirit with which Italy has helped Ukraine," Crosetto added, "so far has been to prevent those who want to destroy and subdue the Ukrainian population from doing so. Some of you will be ashamed of this, but I am proud."
(Unioneonline/lf)
