Italian leaders clash over Ukraine support and Russian diesel deal

Italian political leaders are divided over the strategy for the conflict in Ukraine and recent diplomatic shifts. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed the government's stance, stating that support for Kyiv is not an alternative to peace but a prerequisite to making negotiations possible. Meloni criticized the agreement between Donald Trump and Russia regarding Russian diesel, labeling it a “very risky” choice that could provide Moscow with new revenue to fund the war and weaken the effectiveness of international sanctions.

In contrast, Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte suggested that recent abstentions by opposition parties (PD, M5S, and Avs) regarding military support motions indicate a potential move toward a unified opposition position. Conte argued against military escalation and expressed skepticism regarding the impact of Starlink services, while emphasizing the need for a negotiated settlement to protect the Ukrainian population.