Large-scale plans for the rearmament of Europe - and the EU's role regarding Ukraine - are turning into a serious political headache for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is trying to hold on to her right-wing coalition government, Politico reports, writes UNN.
As the leader of the EU's No. 3 economy, Meloni, a committed transatlanticist, clearly does not believe in the more assertive rhetoric of France and Germany that it is time for Europe to create global heavyweight armies and replace America as Ukraine's main security guarantor against Russia. In part, Meloni's caution about European rearmament reflects her sincere belief that Rome should not make a binary choice about siding with the EU against US President Donald Trump.
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However, her position, the publication writes, is largely determined by domestic political factors. A coalition partner, Italian Minister of Transport and leader of the League party, Matteo Salvini, known for his pro-Russian rhetoric and sympathy for Donald Trump, openly opposes a significant increase in military spending. At the same time, another ally of Meloni - Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani from the Forza Italia party - supports closer cooperation with the EU in the field of security.
Although Meloni's government is extremely stable by Italian standards, she has to restrain the sparring between Salvini and the EU-oriented Tajani, the publication points out.
These political tensions are most noticeable in Meloni's changing rhetoric in recent weeks. She reportedly expressed serious doubts about EU rearmament plans, cooled the ardor of European countries acting alone without US firepower, and indicated: "I don't think I used the word 'victory' regarding the war in Ukraine" - in the Italian parliament last month, which contradicts her previous position.
She reportedly went on to criticize one of the founding documents of the European Union and condemned the rift between Europe and Brussels, and continued to promote the controversial idea that NATO security guarantees would be extended to Ukraine without the country joining the Alliance.
According to Italian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, while Meloni remains committed to Europe, the change in rhetoric reflects Rome's genuine skepticism about the pace and scale of EU rearmament plans.
The main problem is the European Commission's proposed rearmament plan for the entire bloc, which would include €150 billion in loans and greater fiscal flexibility of up to €650 billion for countries without sufficient budgetary reserves.
According to sources, Italy realizes that it is weaker and smaller than France and Germany, and has a more realistic view of Europe's underdeveloped defense sector and its limited chances against Russia without the United States, whose large supply chains are closely intertwined with the bloc's military capabilities.
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As with the United Kingdom, as one source said, Italy's close relationship with the United States has reduced its dependence on its European neighbors. And, the publication writes, Italy does not want to be "in the power" of France and Germany in the event of a collapse of the transatlantic alliance.
Allies appear to be already aware of Italy's discomfort. In an interview with the leading Italian daily Corriere della Sera over the weekend, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tried to assure Rome that its leading defense firm Leonardo would "benefit greatly" from increased defense spending and play a significant role in a rearmed Europe. In addition, the latest update to the EU's rearmament plans, which includes provisions for private sector funding, is already somewhat assuaging Rome's concerns, the publication writes.
But all this is unlikely to fully reassure Meloni. According to Stefano Stefanini, a former senior Italian diplomat and ambassador to NATO, Meloni's actions also reflect a belief, perhaps misplaced, that the transatlantic alliance can still be saved and that its demise is exaggerated. Left-wing lawmaker and former Minister for Europe Enzo Amendola agreed, saying the Prime Minister's reconciliation efforts would leave Italy "no man's land between the EU and the US."
"If she (Meloni - ed.) gets to the point where she has to choose between supporting and not supporting Ukraine, she is too committed to Ukraine to give it up," noted diplomat Stefano Stefanini. - But she will try to avoid any choice - as long as she can."