Italian parliament's lower house backs prolonging military support for Ukraine.

The Italian parliament's lower house voted in favor of prolonging defense assistance for Ukraine as the besieged country braces for another year of war with Russia, Italian media reported on Jan.

10. Last December, the Italian government proposed to extend the aid for 2024. Assistance from European countries is ever more crucial now as additional funding from the U.S., the leading military donor, remains stalled by political infighting.

Italian lawmakers backed the motion with 195 voting in favor, 50 against, and 55 abstaining, the Domani newspaper wrote. "Italian military aid for Ukraine has contributed to saving tens of thousands of lives. Italy must be proud of this; I am proud of it," commented the country's defense minister, Guido Crosetto.

"The road ahead on Kyiv's side is still long, but it would be a serious strategic and political mistake to withdraw now," he said at the parliament, according to the ANSA news agency. Rome's support must continue "until Russian attacks stop," Crosetto noted. After approval by the lower house, the motion must be supported by the Senate.

The minister also revealed that the Italian government greenlit its eighth military aid package for Kyiv, containing equipment and weapons "aimed exclusively at strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities." Rome also expressed interest in joining the Lithuanian-led demining coalition, as large swathes of Ukraine's territory remain mined due to Russian aggression.

During an interview with the Quotidiano Nazionale newspaper last November, Crosetto vowed that the support from Kyiv's allies remains stable. The statement came amid growing worries of war fatigue among Kyiv's Western partners, who play a crucial role in providing the besieged country with military, financial, and diplomatic support. "It is obvious that a lasting peace cannot be based on military actions alone.

A political 'ceasefire' is needed, (but) the time is not yet ripe for that," the minister said at the time.

Scholz criticizes EU for providing insufficient military aid to Ukraine

"As significant as the German contribution is, it will not be enough to ensure Ukraine's security in the long run," said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.