ISTANBUL

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Wednesday that Rome’s priority is to provide Ukraine with strong security guarantees under a NATO-style framework, stressing that the deterrence mechanism is “the most credible” way to ensure peace without escalating the conflict.

Crosetto underlined to La Repubblica, after a recent summit in the US capital, that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s proposal for an Article 5-type guarantee has gained traction with allies.

“The line is to guarantee Ukraine’s security. It was not an obvious commitment, especially on the part of the United States. Now Meloni’s idea of a mechanism based on Article 5 is increasingly gaining ground,” he said.

Crosetto noted that the plan would extend NATO’s defensive umbrella to Ukraine without requiring full membership.

“It is a security commitment that nations would assume. With NATO, as a defensive alliance, you would ensure air, naval and ground protection. With NATO, we would guarantee superior deterrence,” he said.

He stressed that deterrence remains the foundation of peace. “Peace is almost always based on the principle of deterrence: you do not attack because you know you would not win,” he said.

He rejected the notion that Ukraine should cede parts of the Donbass region in a possible peace deal.

“I think it would be impossible for Ukraine to do so. Because that frontline is their Maginot Line, the first defense of the country from Russian attack. It is full of fortifications, the best men are concentrated there. To give it up would mean sacrificing their future defense,” he argued.

Crosetto also addressed Russia’s military limitations, saying Moscow has realized it cannot conquer the entire Donbass.

“If they wanted to achieve that with war, they would need immense military efforts, production and human sacrifices. It would take years. That is why they are saying: give us Donbass, we give up the rest. But even that would contradict their own Constitution,” he said.

Turning to the proposal of sending European troops as part of a coalition of “volunteers,” Crosetto said Rome does not see it as the right path.

“Our line does not change. For us, something that recalls Article 5 seems like adequate protection. And it does not allow the Russians to say: you are sending troops to the borders, you are provoking again,” he said.

Crosetto insisted that Italy will keep its position aligned with Meloni’s approach. “Today, the proposal with the most weight is Meloni’s. Security guarantees for Ukraine must come first,” he added.​​​​​​​