Italian center-left divided over Ukraine military aid

Internal divisions within the Italian center-left have emerged regarding military support for Ukraine. Members of the Democratic Party (PD) reformist faction have declared that providing military aid to Kyiv is ‘not negotiable’ and an ‘indispensable point’ for the party.

During a national assembly in Prato, PD MEP Giorgio Gori criticized proposals from the Five Star Movement (M5S), stating that the PD cannot allow itself to be dominated by a party with half its voting power if it requires abandoning core values. Similarly, MP Lia Quartapelle criticized M5S positions on foreign policy as ‘mystifications’ and ‘slogans’.

In response, Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte expressed a desire to find ‘unitary solutions’ and engage in dialogue, though he noted that each political force should follow its own path. While Conte seeks common ground, the PD reformists maintain that failing to support Ukraine would equate to surrendering to Russian demands.