Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has defended continued military support for Ukraine, comparing assistance to medical treatment and arguing that without it, the country would cease to exist.
Speaking at a joint session of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees of both houses of parliament, Crosetto rejected claims that supplying weapons to Ukraine only prolongs the war, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.
“Many people say that helping Ukraine means prolonging the conflict. I have never heard anyone in a hospital say that a blood transfusion or treatment means prolonging an illness. Of course, if a patient dies, a bed becomes available. If we do not continue to help Ukraine, it will cease to exist, and the problem will be gone,” he said.
Crosetto said this was not an appropriate way to approach international affairs, noting that Italy has supplied military assistance to Kyiv through 13 aid packages since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
“Aid to Ukraine is like medicine for a patient,” Crosetto added.
By Sabina Mammadli
