Italy furious, accuses NATO chief Stoltenberg of treason

Italy feels betrayed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. According to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Stoltenberg betrayed his country by not giving Italy an important place within NATO.

Earlier, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked NATO to create a special envoy to coordinate NATO in the southern NATO area. The Meloni government also announced at the time that it would like the position to go to Italians. However, the position is not held by an Italian, it is said to be a Spaniard. But the alliance has not yet announced who will hold this important position.

Crosetto has already told Italy’s La Stampa newspaper that the post will go to a Spaniard. According to Crosetto, the appointment is “almost a personal insult.” Asked about Crosetto’s criticism, NATO news agency Reuters said: “The alliance will announce any appointment in due course.” NATO declined to comment further on the minister’s remarks.

angry minister

However, the Italian defense minister expressed his displeasure with Stoltenberg, he told the newspaper. According to Crosetto, he sent a “very angry letter” to the outgoing NATO leader. “He made me angry and this will have consequences on a personal level,” the minister said. “He betrayed a principle. It was Italy that fought for the creation of the envoy role for the southern front,” Crosetto said, adding that Stoltenberg did not agree with the decision to create the new role and thus punished Italy.