The resolution, introduced by Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, was supported by 143 senators, with 29 votes against and one abstention.
The Senate (upper house of parliament) of Italy overwhelmingly approved the resolution submitted by the government to extend the provision of military assistance to Ukraine until the end of 2023.
According to La Repubblica, the resolution, presented by Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, was supported by 143 senators, 29 voted against, and one abstained.
Also, members of the Italian Senate, with approximately the same number of votes, supported two resolutions of the opposition Democratic Party and the Action! Bloc, which call for the continuation of military assistance to Ukraine.
The resolution to stop the supply of weapons to Kyiv, introduced by the left and the "greens", was rejected.
The decision means that military hardware and equipment will be provided to Ukraine to fight the Russian occupiers throughout 2023 without the need for separate consent from Italian lawmakers. This is based on a decree supported by the Italian government in early December.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a speech to the Senate that Italy will supply weapons to Ukraine until peace talks with Russia begin.
"I am aware that military assistance must end sooner or later, and it will end when the peace talks that we all hope for begin," said Minister Crosetto, quoted by Reuters.
"Undoubtedly, we all want peace, but this goal cannot be achieved without assistance to a country that is faced with unilateral aggression in violation of international law," the minister added.
