Italy's Defense Minister Explained Why Ukraine Has Already Won the War

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that Ukraine has already won the war against Russia, since the Kremlin failed to carry out its initial invasion plan, and the Ukrainian state has preserved its sovereignty and strength.

According to the Italian official, at the start of the full-scale invasion, most experts expected Kyiv to fall quickly within a few days, and the U.S. was even preparing a plane to evacuate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, four years later, the situation is radically different: the Russian army is stuck on the front lines, losing about 30,000 troops each month to casualties and injuries.

Crosetto emphasized that Ukraine has not only held its ground but has also radically changed approaches to modern warfare—in particular through the widespread use of drones, which has served as an example for many armies around the world. He stressed that, in terms of strategic objectives, Ukraine has already won, as it is defending its own territory and making the situation more difficult for Vladimir Putin with each passing day, while its goal was never to invade Russia.

The Italian defense minister also noted that a prerequisite for ending the war must be a halt to Russian shelling for at least 24–48 hours, something that has not happened since the invasion began in 2022. Crosetto’s view was echoed by British Defense Minister Wes Streeting, who called the war unleashed by Russia “a humiliation for Putin.”

Source: Il Sole 24 Ore.

On January 17, 2026, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crozetto stated that only the one who started the war in Ukraine can end it, alluding to Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to him, this is what he considers a true “victory” for Ukraine.

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