Italian premier says she 'understands' US response to Russia but Rome makes a 'different choice'

​​​​​​​LONDON

The Italian Prime Minister said Tuesday she understands the US approval of the use of long-range missiles for Ukrainian strikes inside Russia, but Italy made a different choice, according to Italian news agency, ANSA.

Giorgia Meloni told reporters at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro that the US decision was a "response" to Russia's war against Ukraine.

She said, however, that Italy pledges "support" for Ukraine as long as there is a war there.

US President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to use US long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday in response that the use of Western missiles by Ukraine may be considered an attack by a non-nuclear state with nuclear support, potentially justifying Russia's use of nuclear weapons.

Moscow has revised its nuclear doctrine, reducing the barriers to deploying nuclear weapons in a conflict.


"We have always been focused on the issue of anti-aircraft defense," said Meloni. "Of course, I understand the point of view of other nations."

Meloni noted that hunger and poverty are far from being solved.

"We are very far from solving” those issues, “given the ongoing crises, in Ukraine where Russia has used wheat as a weapon, and in the Middle East," she noted.