Not voting in favor, or even just abstaining, on the decree for military supplies to Ukraine would open up “a serious political problem”. Forza Italia evokes the extreme scenario of a League no to weapons in Kiev, on yet another day of international negotiations to put an end to the war. Giorgia Meloni, who also receives a long visit from the United States Attorney General Pam Bondi in the afternoon, is busy following the progress of the negotiations, which she discusses in the call with the Volenterosi.
European stalemate on Russian assets and Italian caution
No comments at the end of a day of discussion, especially among the European partners dealing with the issue of Russian assets. A dossier on which Rome has always expressed caution, due to the legal implications of their use (one is also imagining the possibility of leaving freedom to each country) to guarantee funding for Volodymyr Zelensky.
Another thing is the indefinite freezing of fixed assets which is being discussed immediately in Brussels.
Peace talks: expected in Paris and Berlin, Italy ready to participate
The issue of the Russian oligarchs’ billions blocked by the Europeans would have been one of the objects of confrontation between the Willing. The peace talks between Americans and Ukrainians should also continue with the Europeans on Saturday in Paris, where Rome could also send a representative (the diplomatic advisor to the Prime Minister Fabrizio Saggio).
Italy aims for a solid axis between Brussels and Washington
But the format is still being defined, just as the hypothesized meeting on Monday in Berlin still needs to be built. We are moving forward in small steps, with the aim, for Italy, of keeping the axis between Brussels and Washington united, at least with “non-dissent”.
A “complex” moment, also recognizes the Italian vice-president of the Commission Raffaele Fitto, who invites us to keep the relationship with the USA “firm” because the transatlantic alliance “has represented a great prospect and great certainties for us”.
Meloni reiterates his support for Ukraine: aid and supplies in progress
The clear signal that the EU is sending beyond the “technical” issues that need to be resolved, for Fitto, is that there is “full support for Ukraine, no ifs or buts”. The same concept that Meloni repeats on every occasion, and which he reiterated to Zelensky himself in his last visit to Rome. A figure that translates not only into military aid but also into the ongoing shipment of generators and machinery for the pediatric hospital in Odessa.
Also for this reason “there is no doubt that the decree will be passed before the end of the year”, say the Fratelli d’Italia leaders who for now remain to observe the skirmishes between the allies. The provision could arrive in the last Council of Ministers of the year and, barring any sensational surprises, it should follow those that have been the framework for the sending of weapons to Kiev for 4 years, without modifications.
The decree by December 29th: possible moves by the League to avoid the rift
The League could be satisfied with a commitment to take into account the developments of the US peace plan to perhaps be included in the resolution that will be voted on next week after the Prime Minister’s communications in view of the European Council.
Of course, in order to mark the difference but avoid dramatizing the dissent, the Northern League ministers may not participate, as someone in Transatlantic hypothesizes, in the Council of Ministers that will approve the decree (in all likelihood the last one of the year, on the agenda for December 29th).
Forza Italia warns: «Even an abstention would be a crack in the majority»
But even an abstention, says Azzurri spokesperson Raffaele Nevi, would open up “a serious problem” in the majority. The first real crack, difficult to heal.
The president of the Senate Ignazio La Russa throws water on the fire: the war between Moscow and Kiev «is one of the few issues on which sensitivities are slightly different» but «in the end there has never been a different vote», at least so far.
And, “both in the majority and in an important part of the opposition, we absolutely agree on the need not to abandon Ukraine”.