ROME – As tensions been Ukraine and Russia soar following Trump’s scepticism of Zelensky’s cause, the EU have proposed plans to rearm themselves, which Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of Lega, Matteo Salvini has opposed. 

 On Thursday the EU was set to discuss the situation in Ukraine and plans for rearmament. The ‘defence package’ is expected to gain the approval of all 27 member states, despite some minor disagreements on the details, according to ANSA. The plan is set to include 150 billion euros in loans for collaborative projects, with a requirement that 65% of the incurred costs come from EU, Norwegian or Ukrainian suppliers. Non-EU countries such as the UK, US and Turkey are to be excluded unless they sign agreements with the EU. 

 There have been many concerns and criticisms for the 40-billion-euro loan to Ukraine proposed by Kaja Kallas, the Vice-President of the European commission, but it has been claimed by the EU that ‘the Union is not preparing for war, but to protect peace.’ EU Defence Commissioner, Andrius Kublilius noted that Europe can no longer afford to be a spectator in its own security.

 Italy, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Spain will not implement the ‘safeguard clause’ which would allow a 1.5% increase in the deficit for military spending, nor will they make use of ‘safe loans’. Germany will invoke the clause but will not partake in the ‘safe loans’ after deeming them too expensive. Kallas rebuked in particular Spain, Italy, France and the Netherlands for this, commenting that ‘the countries furthest away [from Russia] do not see the threat so strongly, but the threat is there.’

 It remains unknown as to whether Meloni will have the full coalition support from FdI and Lega at the EU council to approve the EU project. So far Lega and Salvini have opposed the rearmament plan and this division could impact Italy’s influence in the EU. 

 Salvini who has made varying statements on Putin in the past, ranging from calling him a ‘war criminal’ to defending him, has been criticised as displaying pro-Putin sentiment. Earlier in the month the Lega leader stated that it would be ‘absurd to indebt ourselves’ over the war in Ukraine and that the EU should not follow ‘warmongerings tones’. 

 More recently on Tuesday, according to Il Foglio, Salvini praised the recent phone call between Putin and Trump to discuss peace in the region as a ‘step-forward’ and ‘wonderful news that is heading towards a peace, that seemed far away prior.’  

 og