"We are not ready; we lack the antibodies." With these blunt words, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto reacted in a recent interview to an ongoing investigation involving two ministry officials accused of passing sensitive information to Russian operatives. Crosetto stated he was not surprised by the arrests, defending the efficacy of internal security checks but sounding a broader alarm over deep Russian penetration across social media and public commentary. To combat this, the minister reiterated his proposal for a permanent pact against foreign interference, an agreement he believes even the controversial right-wing general Roberto Vannacci would sign.

The interview also touched on delicate international dynamics, specifically Donald Trump’s recent political barbs aimed at Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Crosetto quickly brushed aside any diplomatic crisis, noting, "Relations between states always endure." According to the minister, Trump's sharp critiques of NATO and Italy are purely driven by domestic election strategy and tied to Italy's decision not to participate in the conflict in Iran, a stance shared by several other NATO allies. Crosetto firmly ruled out any sexist undertones or retaliatory reductions at US military bases in Italy, characterizing the former American president as a pragmatist who adapts quickly to shifting global realities.

Turning to domestic defense spending, the minister announced that the upcoming budget law will lock in €19 billion for the 2027–2028 biennium. This three-year planning strategy ensures, as Crosetto concluded, that the next administration will find "the groundwork already laid."