If Russian tanks reached Kyiv, the “third world war” would begin, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Friday during a conference in Rome on “European prospects for common defense”, reports EFE. .

Guido Crosetto said this, according to the Italian media, after meeting with his French colleague Sebastien Lecorne on the sidelines of the meeting, which was focused on the necessary support for Ukraine and the defense of NATO’s eastern flank, according to a statement published later by the publication. Ministry of Defense of Italy.

According to the Italian minister, the Third World War may begin “at the moment when Russian tanks reach Kyiv”, and therefore “at the borders of Europe”.

“Making sure that doesn’t happen is the only way to stop World War III from starting,” Crosetto said.

At the same time, the Italian minister wanted to emphasize that NATO countries are only helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.

On Thursday, Crozetto already assured that his country will send only defensive weapons that will protect Ukraine from Russian aggression and “stop” the escalation of the conflict.

“We must have the courage to make difficult decisions to avoid more serious situations. European and NATO countries are the first to avoid escalation. We are all waiting for the opportunity to reach peace talks,” the minister said during an interview on air. on TV channel La7.

Crosetto took advantage of his intervention to refute the information spread by Il Corriere della Sera about the alleged transportation to Ukraine of drones of the latest generation, which would not have been included in the decrees passed by the executive power.

“I deny that, if it were true, it would be a crime because the Ministry of Defense and the State were not informed and someone should go to jail,” he said, a day after announcing that Italy will cooperate with France. supply Samp/T anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine.

For the Italian Ministry of Defense, the new shipment of weapons and equipment to Ukraine, the sixth recently approved by the parliament, is “impregnable even from a pacifist point of view.”

“Aid to Ukraine, including military aid, is what eliminates the possibility of a dramatic escalation of the conflict,” Crosetto added, stressing that “there is no conflict between the Italians and the Russians.”

(source: Agerpres)