Senior Italian government officials have criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for his aggressive rhetoric on the war in Ukraine. Macron, who was initially pushing for peace talks, has now taken a more hawkish stance, suggesting arming the EU with nuclear weapons and sending NATO troops into the conflict. Italy, a NATO ally and EU member, has firmly rejected the idea of sending Italian troops into the war.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini from the League party strongly condemned Macron’s suggestions on social media, stating that Italy would not send soldiers to fight outside the EU borders. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also expressed confusion over Macron’s declarations, which he believes only escalate tensions.
Macron defended his rhetoric as a strategy of “strategic ambiguity” in an interview, citing Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine as the reason for his tough stance. He argued that if Russia wins in Ukraine, it would pose a significant security threat to Europe. Macron is not alone in ramping up the stakes in Ukraine, as UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron has pledged significant military aid to Kyiv.
Overall, the Italian government remains committed to providing aid to Ukraine but is adamant about not directly involving Italian troops in the conflict. Macron’s aggressive rhetoric has sparked criticism and concern among Italian officials, who believe it only contributes to escalating tensions in the region.
