Ukraine, NATO and the use of arms in Russia. From Meloni to Salvini: here are the government's positions

Italy's position on the Ukraine dossier remains firm: the government is committed to Kiev's side against Russian aggression, but wants to avert escalation, because NATO is not at war with Moscow. On the contrary, the appeal by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to allow the Ukrainians the use of Western weapons to strike across the border (an option on which the White House is also pondering) risks going in the opposite direction to the main objective: "Achieving peace". Hence the words of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: "I don't know why Stoltenberg says such a thing. There are many questionable statements, I remember Macron, I advise more prudence", referring also to the Elysée Palace's recent flight forward on the possible invitation of western troops on the ground.

On the opposite front, however, the hawk Dmitry Medvedev is back to waving threats, evoking a 'world war' in the event of greater involvement of Ukraine's allies. For Rome, there is no question that NATO must "maintain its steadfastness with no signs of relenting", but at the same time "it is important" that the Alliance "continue to maintain support for Ukraine to achieve peace". A position in fact shared with Berlin, which has refused to supply long-range Taurus to Kiev, and which through Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated: 'We have agreed clear rules with Ukraine for arms deliveries. And they work'. That is, they cannot be used in Russia.

In the Italian government Matteo Salvini was the toughest against Stoltenberg: "Either he retracts or apologises or resigns", the League secretary's demand, while his party said it was ready "to file an agenda or a question" in Parliament "aimed at censuring" these "words of war". With his European candidate, General Vannacci, speaking of 'risks of no return'.

And again: 'Nato is speaking out of turn, because when it says it is using the weapons we sent to Ukraine not only to defend itself, but to attack, shoot and kill in Russia, it is not speaking in the name of the Italian people. I say no, Italy is not at war with anyone. I do not want the third world war, it is not something I want to leave to my children as a hypothesis for the future. The European Community was born to guarantee peace, welfare and work, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini in Castel Volturno.

For Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani the new statements by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg "are personal opinions. They are opinions of the secretary general. Italy has already decided: we are not at war with Russia, we will not send an Italian soldier to fight in Ukraine, and we are absolutely not in favour of the use of military instruments sent to Ukraine outside the borders of Ukraine, and therefore the military instruments sent by Italy sent to Kiev will not be sent outside the borders of Ukraine". And again: 'The use by the Ukrainian armed forces is under Italian control. We must be made aware of how and where military instruments are used'.