The Meloni government's stance unequivocally supports Kyiv, viewing their blitz as a justified response to the aggression. However, there have been differing opinions within the cabinet and opposition, with the League and the 5 Star Movement playing the pacifism card by criticising the escalation and advocating for diplomacy
The government’s position. “Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described the rare cross-border attack by Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region of Russia as “a response” to the Russian invasion.
- According to the newspaper La Stampa, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a staunch supporter of Kyiv, is not entirely opposed to the Ukrainian blitz as this could potentially serve as a means to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
A difficult position. Minister Tajani emphasised that Italy is not at war with Russia and has consistently maintained that its weapons should not be used on Russian territory.
- However, it may be difficult to explain the fact that the weapons being sent by Italy will be used for both defensive and offensive purposes.
- This was confirmed by a source in the Ministry of Defense quoted by La Stampa, who stated that “almost none” of the Italian weapons sent to Ukraine have clear intentions for their use.
The Salvini-Conte entente. The leader of the League, Matteo Salvini, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, has consistently maintained his stance as a right-wing pacifist. He has criticised the Ukrainian counter-offensive on Russian territory, in an attempt to position himself.
- He also called out the EU for supporting the Ukraine blitz and stated that he would
- This position was also supported by the 5 Star Movement. The party of former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte stated that the EU’s stance is only “adding fuel to the fire and not helping to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict”.
