Italy freezes 13th military aid package to Ukraine, awaits US midterm elections

Italy has effectively frozen the delivery of its 13th military aid package to Ukraine, deciding to pause until the results of the US midterm elections in Congress, reports La Repubblica. Although the official stance in Rome promises full coordination of deliveries by the end of October, the decision has already been delayed for several months. "Rome has decided to wait for the US midterm elections to see which way the wind is blowing." The new shipment, including scarce anti-aircraft missiles for Aster 30 air defense systems, is fully assembled and ready for logistics, but the government has not yet issued the final clearance for dispatch. Notably, the last actual Italian military supplies reached Kyiv in December 2025—since then, Rome's military support for Ukraine has been on a prolonged pause.