Rome, December 12 – Internal friction within Italy’s governing majority is intensifying over the decree to extend military aid to Ukraine. This comes as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is reportedly preparing to attend a significant European summit in Berlin next week, signaling a potential further display of European unity amidst accelerating peace negotiations for Ukraine.
Meloni’s Potential Berlin Visit and European Unity
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni might participate in a summit scheduled for next Monday or Tuesday in Berlin. While not yet official, sources suggest a possible reformatting of the meeting, unlike the recent London gathering where Meloni joined via video link. This potential in-person attendance would underscore European allies’ solidarity, especially as peace talks concerning Ukraine gain momentum.
Yesterday, Meloni hosted U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi at Palazzo Chigi and also participated in a conference call for the ‘Coalition of the Willing,’ coordinated by France and the United Kingdom. This coalition brings together over 30 nations supporting Ukraine. The meeting focused on the civilian and military contributions various states – including European, NATO, and Asian countries like Japan and New Zealand – are prepared to offer in the event of a truce, peace agreements, and the subsequent reconstruction phase of Ukraine.
Officials at Palazzo Chigi stated after the meeting that the exchange of views among diverse capitals “served to strengthen the unity of many allies, particularly across the Atlantic, regarding both negotiations and Ukraine’s reconstruction.”
Internal Political Strife Over Ukraine Aid Decree
Domestically, controversy continues within the majority over the decree to extend military aid to Ukraine, which is expected to go before the Council of Ministers by year-end. Following resistance and calls for a standstill from the Lega party – Senator Claudio Borghi reiterated yesterday, “If the twelfth aid package is along the same lines as the eleventh, I will not vote for it” – Forza Italia has issued a stern warning to its allied party.
Raffaele Nevi, national spokesperson for Forza Italia, told Affaritaliani, “We have always said that, in our opinion, the measure must be approved by the end of the year, within the framework of international and European agreements.” He further emphasized that if Lega were not to vote in favor, “it would certainly be a serious political problem, there is no doubt.” Nevi added, “If the Prime Minister brings such an important measure and a force in the majority does not vote for it, a political problem would arise. We share the importance of negotiations. But at the same time, Prime Minister Meloni has assured the green light for the decree by December 31. Nobody likes to keep spending money, and we would all be happy not to do so anymore, but first, a just peace is needed.”
This statement heightened tensions among allies, prompting a response from Maurizio Lupi, leader of Noi Moderati: “I believe there are no difficulties; on foreign policy, we have always found a single line. I do not see this discussion; I advise our friends in Forza Italia to lower their tones.”
Continued European Support for Ukraine
Yesterday also saw a videoconference among the defense ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom. During this meeting, a message reiterated after the discussions, shared by Guido Crosetto, reaffirmed “our shared determination to proceed” with support for Ukraine and the strengthening of European defense.
Source: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/politica/25_dicembre_12/ucraina-decreto-meloni-25ef3ff5-9f11-4dbe-9bbe-c056d4e69xlk.shtml
