The Russia-Ukraine War, which started on February 24, 2022,[1] deeply affected the international system. This war[2] had such a great impact on the global system for the first time after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the end of the Cold War in 1991.[3] Russia’s use of the enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as the reason for starting the war [4]and the rivalry between Russia and the United States of America (USA) dating back to the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) era means that the West and especially Moscow are in full swing caused it to open.
The European Union (EU) countries are the states that defend the “rules-based international order” based on “liberal democracy” established on the basis of the USA and NATO after the Cold War. Likewise, the EU is an organization established in 1993 within the aforementioned order.[5] This situation caused the distance between Brussels and Moscow to widen after the start of the Russia-Ukraine War. Because the EU has taken many serious sanctions against Russia, Russian oligarchs and Russian companies, including[6] the application of oil ceilings.[7]
The rising far right in Europe and governments with these ideologies also argue that more resources should be allocated to their countries’ military expenditures and investments. From this point of view, EU countries, which have a rising far-right trend in Europe, have hardened their attitudes towards the Russia-Ukraine War. In this context, Italy can set an important example. As a matter of fact, on October 22, 2022, the Brothers of Italy Party, which has far-right ideologies, came to power in Italy[8] and the leader of the party, who also has far-right ideologies, Giorgia Meloni was elected Prime Minister.[9] Thus, Rome increased its right-wing rhetoric and started to spend more on its military capacity.
It is of importance that Italy signed an agreement with a local consortium on August 2, 2023 to replace the obsolete battle tanks and replace them with Leopard tanks. Within the scope of this agreement, it is known that Rome will use Italian industrial input for Leopard tanks and the business sharing will involve Italian companies. The amount of the agreement was stated as 848 million euros.[10]
On the other hand, Italy is making important developments in terms of warships. As a matter of fact, Rome signed an agreement with Leonardo and the Italian shipyard Fincantieri for the purchase of three offshore patrol vessels called “PPX” for a total of 925 million euros. Within the scope of the agreement in question, 95 meters long ships with a capacity of 2,300 tons and capable of accommodating 97 crews will be produced.[11]
Meloni, who had a far-right stance in Italy, became prime minister, Rome’s defense and military expenditures increased. As a matter of fact, this basically shows the security concerns of Europe and even Western Europe. As the Russia-Ukraine War continues, it can be predicted that the military expenditures of Europe and Italy will continue to increase.
[1]“ February 24, 2023-It’s Now What’s that Year Since Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Began ”, Cable News Network World , https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-02-24-23/index.html, (Date of Accession: 07.08.2023) .
[2]“Fall of Berlin Wall: How 1989 Reshaped the Modern World”, British Broadcast Corporation World , https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50013048, (Date of Accession: 07.08.2023).
[3]“Mikhail Gorbachev : The soviet leader who helped end the cold War ”, British Broadcast Corporation News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-13669848,(Date of Accession: 07.08.2023).
[4]“NATO Expansion and the Origins of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine ”, Responsible Statecraft , https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/11/18/nato-expansion-and-the-origins-of-russias-invasion-of-ukraine/, (Date of Accession: 07.08.2023).
[5]“ the founding and Reforms of the european Union ”, Luxembourg Center for Contemporary and digital History ”, https://www.cvce.eu/en/education/unit-content/-/unit/d5906df5-4f83-4603-85f7-0cabc24b9fe1/9c0b79f2-4e02-47e2-8da5-988fc3f980b7, (Date of Accession: 07.08 .2023).
[6] “ Impact of EU Sanctions for european Companies in the Gulf ”, Arabian Gulf Business Insight , https://www.agbi.com/opinion/james-willn-impact-of-the-eu-sanctions-for-european-companies-in-the-gulf/?gclid=CjwKCAiAuaKfBhBtEiwAht6H79jZR1GbaNisv8C9ChumJFUS LBoC960QAvD_BwE, (Date of Accession: 07.08.2023).
[7]“EU Agreements to Set $60 Price Cap Level for Russian Oil Exports ”, Bloomberg , https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-02/eu-agrees-to-set-60-price-cap-level-for-russian-oil-exports#: ~:text=The%20European%20Union%20agreed%20to,oil%20flowing%20to%20global%20markets., (Date of Accession: 07.08.2023).
[8]“How a Party of Neo- Fascist root Won Big in Italy ”, Associated Press News , https://apnews.com/article/elections-rome-italy-6aa9fcb003071c307190a4053f199d98, (Date of Accession: 07.08.2023).
[9]“ Who is Georgia Melony ? The Rise to Power of Italy’s New Far-Right PM”, British Broadcast Corporation News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63351655, (Date of Accession: 07.08.2023).
[10]“ Italy Inks €848.8 Million deal to Upgrade Tanks amide Growing Security Concerns ”, BNN Network , https://bnn.network/world/italy-inks-e848-8-million-deal-to-upgrade-tanks-amid-growing-security-concerns/, (Date of Accession: 07.08 .2023).
[11]“ Italy Signs Nearly $1 Billion deal to Upgrade Ariete Tanks ”, https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/08/04/italy-signs-nearly-1-billion-deal-to-upgrade-ariete-tanks/, Defense News , https:/ /www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/08/04/italy-signs-nearly-1-billion-deal-to-upgrade-ariete-tanks/, (Date of Accession: 07.08.2023).
