Italy opposes Ukraine using Western weapons against Russian territory

Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani (Getty Images)

Italy opposes Ukraine using the weapons sent to it for striking Russian territory, according to Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani.

"All the weapons leaving from Italy should be used within Ukraine," said Tajani.

This Monday, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini sharply reacted to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's call to lift restrictions on weapon usage.

"NATO cannot force us to kill in Russia, nor can anyone compel us to send Italian soldiers to fight or die in Ukraine," he said, urging all those eager for war to go fight in Ukraine.

Restrictions on weapon usage

Since the start of the full-scale war with the Russian Federation, the West has not allowed Ukraine to use its weapons against Russian territory. However, recently, a number of Alliance members have begun to reconsider their decision.

As noted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, strikes on Russian territory would not be an offensive but rather a defense against aerial bombardments from the terrorist country.

For more information on who lifted the ban on weapon usage and who opposes it, see RBC-Ukraine's coverage.