Defence: Crosetto, “Of course there will be funding in the 2027 budget”

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - “I am certain that the resources” for defence spending “will be available because they form part of the commitments made to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, but above all because of our own defence requirements.” This was stated by Defence Minister Guido Crosetto regarding the possibility of making up for the increase in defence spending that was not realised this year in the forthcoming budget. “Given that there is the possibility of invoking the clause to increase defence spending – which we have linked to the possibility of taking action to address households’ energy problems – if this option arises, the resources for defence will also be available,” he said, referring to the activation of the Stability Pact’s safeguard clause. “We have always helped Ukraine,” he added, “and we will continue to do so because we regard it as a bulwark of freedom for the whole of Europe, and we will do so in line with the resources available in the Budget Bill. “We will begin discussions on the Budget in September, and depending on the resources allocated, we will be able to assist Ukraine; in the meantime, a European programme is being launched to coordinate support for Ukraine rather than leaving it to individual nations.”

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