Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has accused Ukrainian President Zelensky of deliberately obstructing peace efforts by refusing to engage in meaningful negotiations with Russia. In a recent interview, Salvini stated that Zelensky’s actions have prolonged the conflict and endangered global stability.
Speaking over the weekend, Salvini said Europe is boycotting the peace process, noting that leaders facing domestic challenges are shifting their problems onto the international stage: “Perhaps [French President Emmanuel] Macron, [UK Prime Minister Keir] Starmer, and other leaders are struggling at home and therefore need to export their problems abroad.”
The Italian deputy prime minister, who also serves as the country’s minister of infrastructure and transport and leads the Lega Nord party, emphasized that Italy is not a participant in the conflict: “I don’t want my children to go to war against Russia.” He argued that when dealing with a nuclear-armed power like Russia, dialogue must be prioritized.
Salvini has repeatedly criticized European leaders for their hawkish approach to Ukraine, calling French President Macron a “madman” and accusing him of trying to drag the EU into a conflict with Russia. In previous remarks, Salvini mockingly urged Macron to take up arms alone, stating that “not even one Frenchman would follow him.”
The deputy prime minister also stressed that peace talks should be left to key parties: “So let Trump, Zelensky and Putin find an agreement without disturbing this process.”
