Salvini clarifies his stance on Kyiv. “Cutting off aid? We should discuss it; nothing is a foregone conclusion. We are loyal allies.”

“The decision to halt arms shipments to Ukraine was a consideration we were weighing up four years ago; however, out of a sense of loyalty to the majority and the government, we have always contributed, as is right, to every form of humanitarian and economic support for Ukraine. As a loyal ally – as we have demonstrated over the years – we will bring to the majority’s negotiating table the views that so many Italians, so many business leaders and so many European countries are now coming to share.” So said Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini on Radio 24. Speaking from the podium at the League’s extraordinary congress this weekend, he had clarified his position on aid to Kyiv: “We cannot continue to send money and weapons to Ukraine.” Speaking on the radio today, the League leader softened his tone. “We should discuss this; nothing is a foregone conclusion,” he added. I think it is useful to consider the approach taken by many other European countries and organisations, particularly those linked to the business world, because it is Italian businesses and Italian citizens who are bearing the brunt of the sanctions imposed because of this war. Is this aid given to Ukraine bringing the war to an end after four and a half years, or is it prolonging the suffering of that people and those nations? I believe it is right to discuss this without taking sides.”

After all, the League’s call to halt arms shipments to Ukraine had caused some discontent within the ruling coalition. As we report here, Salvini himself recounted how Giorgia Meloni reacted to his remarks at the League’s Congress: “She gave me a proper telling-off”. The Prime Minister, in fact, was irritated by her ally’s “ingratitude”, and sources within FdI have said that if Salvini has managed to keep his position so far, it is thanks to Meloni’s generosity. When questioned on the radio about these points, however, Salvini today denied that there had been any angry reactions from Meloni: “I’m not aware of that, and you read all sorts of bizarre things in the papers”. Forza Italia’s pro-Ukrainian stance has also remained unchanged: “My position is well known; we stand with Ukraine and will continue to support it for as long as necessary,” commented the party’s leader, Antonio Tajani, yesterday, adding that “the next military aid package is already ready and we will send it to Kyiv as soon as possible”. 

Regarding domestic political issues and the role of the former governor of Veneto, Luca Zaia, in the Lega’s new executive committee, Salvini said: “I don’t want to get into issues of personality or personal agendas; anyone who wants to lend a hand will be welcome. We have exceptional governors, exceptional former governors, and we have more than 500 mayors at work, many of whom could become ministers tomorrow morning.” So “I am spoilt for choice when it comes to who to involve,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. The logo that will accompany the League in the upcoming general election was also unveiled at the federal congress in Milan: the launch of “Lega Italia Federale” marked the end of the “Lega Salvini premier” era. “It is something that unites our causes at a national level. We have mayors in Lombardy and Veneto, as we did in the past, and we have mayors in Sicily, Calabria and Lazio, as we do now. Federalism is a model of good governance, based on efficiency, merit and speed, which works across half the world, and we hope it will work in Italy too,” he said.

There is also space to discuss the Budget Bill. "We are working towards the passage of the Budget Bill tomorrow," Salvini assured. "I am pleased because part of the funding in the Budget Bill for pensions, employment, businesses and the energy cost crisis comes from a significant contribution by the banks, following months and months of debate on windfall profits and micro-profits," stated the Minister for Transport. "As is only right – and this has always been my battle and that of the League, not a punitive one but an objective one – the banks will contribute a significant sum, given the profits they are making from the fees paid by Italians." On the pensions front, the priority for the League, he added, "and we’ve finally got there: it is to repeal the Fornero law and thus give back three years of life to those who choose to retire at 64 rather than 67," continued Salvini, who said he was "confident we will be able to fulfil a commitment the League made several years ago and which, in previous budget laws, due to other issues, we were unable to deliver on. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the National Social Security Institute (INPS) are currently estimating the cost; there will certainly be sufficient funding to ensure that those who have paid their contributions get at least their contributions back.”