# Italy‑US alliance reaffirmed amid NATO prep > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italys-defence-policy-on-ukraine-war > Updated: 2026-07-14T19:18:20.000Z. Sources: 75. Developments: 16. In early July, President Sergio Mattarella hosted the Fulbright Commission at the Quirinale, emphasizing that peace relies on reciprocal cultural and scientific exchange. At the Independence Day reception, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani highlighted a 2.3 % rise in Italian exports to the United States and announced a U.S.-partnered Strait of Messina bridge, while U.S. Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta called Italy a “trusted partner.” Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, ahead of the NATO summit, reaffirmed the “excellent” trans‑Atlantic relationship and framed strategic competition with China around technology, rare‑earth minerals and energy. On 5 July, Ambassador Fertitta toured Cefalù and Palermo on a “Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Tour,” stressing shared heritage. On 16 July, during the Blue Forum 2026, Italy’s first National Report on the “Italian Underwater Dimension” was presented to the Senate. Initiated by Senator Simona Petrucci and produced by the Osservatorio Nazionale sull’Economia del Mare with Unioncamere, Assonautica and the Polo Nazionale della Dimensione Subacquea, the report identified 189 firms, 63 458 employees and a sector value of €3.5 billion, with a €30.5 billion turnover and €7.3 billion in value‑added – a 216 % growth over ten years. Defence Minister Crosetto and Civil‑Protection Minister Nello Musumeci stressed the strategic importance of the sub‑sea environment for Italy’s economic, technological and security future, calling for coordinated regulation and investment. Government officials continue to stress the underwater dimension’s role in Italy’s prestige and in civilian and dual‑use applications aligned with EU objectives. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-14: Italy's underwater economy hits €3.5 billion in first sub‑sea sector report Italy's first national underwater‑economy report shows the sector generates €3.5 billion, employs 63 k people across 189 firms and is deemed strategic by defence and sea ministers. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-defence-minister-highlights-strategic-underwater-sector-at-senate-report-launch ### 2026-07-05: US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta tours Sicily for 250th US independence U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta toured Cefalù and Palermo, highlighting family roots and US‑Italy ties during a 250th‑anniversary diplomatic tour of Sicily. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-ambassador-tilman-fertitta-visits-his-ancestral-town-cefal-in-italy ### 2026-07-03: US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta says US‑Italy bond remains strong at Villa Taverna US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta praised a strong US‑Italy partnership at a Villa Taverna Independence Day reception, stressing NATO ties, $100 bn trade, and joint defence and climate projects. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-ambassador-tilman-fertitta-says-usitaly-bond-remains-strong-at-villa-taverna ### 2026-07-02: Italian government hosts US Independence Day celebration at Rome’s Villa Taverna Around 2,000 guests attended a US Independence Day event at Rome’s Villa Taverna, featuring Italian ministers like Tajani and Salvini, while the prime minister was absent; ambassador Fertitta said Italy‑US ties 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-government-hosts-us-independence-day-celebration-at-romes-villa-taverna ### 2026-07-02: Italy's public opinion divided over Ukraine's EU accession Italian poll finds the public equally split—40% for, 40% against—on Ukraine joining the EU, mirroring broader EU ambivalence on the matter. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italys-public-opinion-divided-over-ukraines-eu-accession ### 2026-07-02: Italy‑U.S. alliance reaffirmed at Independence Day celebrations Italy’s president and foreign minister praised the Italy‑U.S. alliance, highlighting the Fulbright cultural program, rising trade and a planned Strait‑of‑Messina bridge partnership. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-and-united-states-reaffirm-strong-alliance-at-independence-day-event ### 2026-06-29: Tajani Confirms Villa Taverna Attendance, Defends Italy‑US Ties Antonio Tajani confirms Italy will attend the 4 July Villa Taverna reception, emphasizing Italy‑US cooperation, denying any role in U.S. attacks on Iran, and calling for a cease‑fire in Lebanon. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italys-foreign-minister-tajani-pledges-strong-transatlantic-ties-ahead-of-villa-taverna-meeting ### 2026-06-19: EU Supplies Nearly All Ukrainian Military Aid as Italy Declines PURL Funding The EU provides almost all military aid to Ukraine, but Italy rejects the PURL programme that would channel EU funds to buy U.S. weapons, citing US tensions and budget limits. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-supplies-nearly-all-ukrainian-military-aid-as-italy-declines-purl-funding ### 2026-06-19: Italy Rejects NATO PURL Funding for US Weapons to Ukraine Italy’s defence minister announced the country will not join NATO’s PURL programme that funds U.S. weapons for Ukraine, citing domestic economic priorities while other allies maintain contributions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-rejects-nato-purl-funding-for-us-weapons-to-ukraine ### 2026-06-15: Italian Defence Minister Crosetto reaffirms Atlantic alliance in Washington meeting Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto met U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, reaffirming the Italy‑U.S. Atlantic alliance, praising Italy’s growing NATO role and discussing Hormuz de‑mining. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-defence-minister-crosetto-reaffirms-atlantic-alliance-in-washington-meeting ### 2026-06-12: Italy opposition parties clash over Ukraine policy in parliamentary resolutions Italian opposition parties debate six Ukraine‑related resolutions, while a far‑right gathering in Milan spreads conspiratorial claims about Zelensky and the war. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-opposition-parties-clash-over-ukraine-policy-in-parliamentary-resolutions ### 2026-06-10: Italian opposition leaders criticize government's cautious foreign policy Gentiloni and Conte say Italy’s cautious foreign policy and summit absences risk losing influence and call for diplomatic action on Ukraine. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-opposition-leaders-criticize-governments-cautious-foreign-policy ### 2026-06-10: Italy pledges continued support for Ukraine as war drags on Italy backs Ukraine, supports new EU sanctions and a peace framework, while Zelensky reports long‑range missile strikes on Russian facilities. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-pledges-continued-support-for-ukraine-as-war-drags-on ### 2026-06-09: Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto warns nuclear threat revives amid Ukraine war Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto says the nuclear threat is resurfacing as the Russia‑Ukraine war drags on, warning Europe of massive casualties, financial and energy fallout and the need for post‑war re 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-defence-minister-guido-crosetto-warns-nuclear-threat-revives-amid-ukraine-war ### 2026-06-08: Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto Urges Ongoing Support for Ukraine Italy’s defence minister says the Ukraine war will likely persist for years, costing millions of lives, and calls for continued military, political and diplomatic aid, while analysts warn of its heavy strain on 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-defence-minister-guido-crosetto-urges-ongoing-support-for-ukraine ### 2026-05-31: Italian Defence Minister Crosetto calls for stronger peace defence amid Ukraine's EU bid Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto says Italy needs a “defence of peace”, highlights Ukraine’s EU hurdles, NATO spending rise, and Italian naval minesweeping in the Gulf. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-defence-minister-guido-crosetto-urges-nato-to-raise-defence-spending-to-safeguard-peace --- Cite as: Italy‑US alliance reaffirmed amid NATO prep. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italys-defence-policy-on-ukraine-war