Italy’s Defense Minister: Ukraine’s Victory Means Russia’s Withdrawal, Not Moscow March

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Ukraine cannot win the war against Russia in the classical military sense, defining victory instead as Russia's withdrawal, an end to bombardments, and Ukraine's restored freedom. He made the remarks in a BBC interview. Crosetto clarified that victory does not mean Ukrainian forces marching on Moscow, noting some Italians misinterpreted such statements. He emphasized his goal is to keep Ukraine alive and end the war, while acknowledging most Italians oppose military aid to Kyiv. Italy has already delivered 12 aid packages to Ukraine and plans another by year's end. Earlier, Crosetto said Ukraine had already won by surviving despite Kremlin expectations, and Italy and the Council of Europe Development Bank allocated 50 million euros for housing compensation.