Economist: Italy sends mixed signals regarding Ukraine and Russia
With the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election and his criticism of Vladimir Zelenskyy, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini “became bolder” and began to “more openly” advocate for Russia’s position on the Ukrainian issue, writes The Economist.
The publication recalled that Salvini had previously been a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but “moderated” support for the Russian leader after the start of his campaign, joining the government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni, which took the Ukrainian side.
According to the author of the article, against the background of the upcoming elections in Italy, Salvini’s party began to use public “war fatigue” to “distinguish itself” from Meloni’s rhetoric.
In this regard, it is noted that six out of ten supporters of Salvini’s party are against providing security guarantees to Ukraine. At the same time, the party has always advocated support for Ukraine. The League, according to Salvini, is also specifically against Italy’s “military intervention.”
In addition, the article recalled Salvini’s recent move: his statement against sending European troops to Ukraine, as well as ridiculing French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Mr. Salvini’s attempts to take an opposing position towards Russia mean that tensions in the coalition are likely to persist. But he is likely to stick to provocative but symbolic statements rather than threats to the unity of the coalition,” the article says.
Earlier, Salvini said that Russia was not a source of any threat to Italy, and not a single Italian would go to fight in Ukraine.
Later, at a meeting with the coalition of the willing, Meloni ruled out the deployment of Italian troops in Ukraine.
