Portrait of Giorgia Meloni
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Giorgia Meloni on War in Ukraine Support

Strong military support (strong) Position evolved

Giorgia Meloni, as Prime Minister of Italy, adopted a strong and unambiguous position in support of Ukraine following the February 2022 Russian invasion. This commitment has included pledging continued military assistance and asserting Italy's reliability as a NATO ally through the conflict.

Meloni's current support is characterized by active engagement, including high-profile visits to Kyiv and participating in international forums to coordinate aid. This policy represents a significant shift from her pre-invasion stance, where she favored improved relations with Russia and supported lifting sanctions imposed after the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Her government's policy firmly aligns Italy with the West on the war, explicitly condemning Russia's actions and affirming commitment until the conflict's end. This Atlanticist shift was crucial for reassuring international partners, especially given the historical ties some coalition partners had maintained with Moscow.

Context

Giorgia Meloni's position on the War in Ukraine Support is central to her foreign policy as Prime Minister, defining her relationship with key international bodies like NATO and the European Union. Her strong Atlanticism and clear alignment with the US and major European partners were critical for establishing her government's credibility on the international stage following the 2022 general election.

Her pivot was necessary because two key coalition partners, Matteo Salvini's League and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia, had historically maintained ties with Moscow and had been more cautious or friendly toward Russia prior to the full-scale invasion.

Timeline

  1. Meloni supported lifting sanctions on Russia following the annexation of Crimea.
  2. She congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election as Russian President.
  3. Meloni wrote that Russia under Putin was defending European values and Christian identity.
  4. After the full-scale invasion, Meloni pledged to send arms to Ukraine and condemned Russia's annexation of Ukrainian provinces.
  5. Meloni visited Ukraine, met with President Zelenskyy, and visited Bucha, stressing that Ukraine can count on Italy 'from the beginning and will be until the end.'
  6. Meloni discussed the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Actions Taken

  1. Military Aid Commitment
    Pledged to keep sending arms and military support to Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion.
  2. Diplomatic Condemnation
    Stated that Russia's annexation of four partially occupied provinces in southeastern Ukraine has 'no legal and political value.'
  3. High Level Diplomatic Visit
    Visited Ukraine and met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion.
  4. International Praise/Coordination
    Praised Poland's support for Ukraine and its acceptance of Ukrainian refugees.

Comparison

  • Pre-Premiership Stance (Before 2022): Meloni favoured improved relations with Russia and, in 2014, supported lifting sanctions against Moscow.
  • Post-Invasion Stance (After 2022): She immediately condemned the invasion, pledged military support to Ukraine, and has since positioned herself as a firm Atlanticist ally, differing significantly from her prior position.