Meloni Says Ukraine Support Costs Her Politically but Vows Not to Change Course

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says her support for Ukraine may cost her politically, but she will not change course. She made the remarks in an interview with journalist Bruno Vespa, ANSA reported on Oct. 30. Excerpts were released ahead of the book’s publication on Nov. 2.

What Meloni Told Vespa

Meloni said she is “fully aware that our support for Ukraine may come at a political cost.” She said a segment of the electorate may disagree. “I do not intend to change my position,” she added. The book is “Storia della Seconda Repubblica,” published by Mondadori-Rai Libri.

She presented the policy as a matter of national interest. “I do not support Ukraine simply for the sake of the Ukrainians. I do it for Italy,” she said.

Meloni said a world ruled by the militarily strongest does not serve Italy. “This is not a political opinion; it is a fact,” she said. Italian media excerpts also quote her asking whether Moscow would have stopped after an easy conquest.

Salvini Pushes Back

The comments follow a coalition dispute that began a week earlier. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini was re-elected League leader on Sunday, Oct. 25, at a congress in Milan. He won 465 votes to 146 for challenger Massimo Garavaglia.

Salvini told delegates, “We cannot continue sending money and weapons to Ukraine,” dpa reported. He promised to take the League’s position to the Cabinet. ANSA says he would seek to stop Italy’s economic and military support.

On Oct. 31, Il Giornale d’Italia quoted Salvini as saying sanctions “have only brought Italian businesses to their knees.” Italy also pays millions a year to keep seized Russian superyachts afloat, Clash Report has reported. The League is under pressure from Roberto Vannacci’s National Future, which dpa says has overtaken it in polls.

Tajani and the Aid Package

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who leads Forza Italia, answered Salvini on Oct. 26. “We stand with Ukraine and will continue to support it for as long as necessary,” he told reporters in Milan. “The next military aid package is already ready, and we will send it to Kyiv as soon as possible.”

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said the same day that Italy’s line on Ukraine “cannot change.” On Oct. 29, Tajani said the package was “almost ready.” It still needs signatures from Crosetto, Tajani and Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti.

Italian media call it the 13th package. Its contents are classified. Il Messaggero reported it could include Aster 30 interceptor missiles. Clash Report reported earlier that La Repubblica said approval had stalled amid the coalition rift.

Cabinet Backs the Line

On Oct. 28, the Cabinet extended the state of emergency that underpins aid to Ukraine by 12 months. Meloni told reporters she does not expect the majority’s position to change. She said Salvini had the right to voice his base’s mood.

Il Foglio reported that Salvini left the press conference after her answer. Vannacci’s party has said it would vote against the arms package. Italy is due to hold elections in 2027.

Clash Report found no new official response to Meloni’s book excerpts beyond these earlier statements. Vespa’s book goes on sale Monday, Nov. 2.