Crosetto: "The Arctic must be monitored." Tajani: "Without armed forces, national interests cannot be protected."

The Arctic has transformed into a strategic frontier, with increased interest from China and Russia, as highlighted during Italy's Second National Defense Conference. Italy aims to enhance its military, scientific, and diplomatic presence in the region to safeguard national interests and ensure access to critical resources. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized the importance of Arctic routes and potential vulnerabilities for Russia, while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed the need for Italy's involvement in Arctic and Antarctic affairs to protect economic interests. The conference underscored the necessity of a coordinated inter-ministerial strategy to address the challenges posed by the changing geopolitical landscape in the Arctic.