田村吉康 TAMURA Yoshiyasu

Meloni Refuses to End Support for Ukraine: “I Understand I May Lose Votes, but I Will Not Change My Position.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has made a firm statement amid growing debates over military assistance to Kyiv, rising living costs, and increased defense spending. In an interview for journalist Bruno Vespa's new book, History of the Second Republic, scheduled for release on November 2, the Italian prime minister acknowledged that supporting Ukraine could cost her some voters. “I fully understand that our support for Ukraine may come at a political cost. That even among our own voters, there are people who disagree with it. But I have no intention of changing my position.” Meloni emphasized that her decisions are guided primarily by Italy's national interests. “I support Ukraine not simply for the sake of Ukrainians. I do it for Italy.” According to Meloni, an international order in which military force alone determines what is right poses a serious threat to her country. She urged people to consider the consequences of a possible Ukrainian defeat. “If we had allowed Ukraine to be easily conquered, could we really be certain that Moscow would stop there rather than move further?” Meloni also addressed the possibility of Russia attacking a NATO member state. In such a scenario, she explained, NATO allies would face a choice between responding militarily and effectively abandoning their collective defense commitments, potentially threatening the very existence of the Alliance. “I support Ukraine because all the other scenarios are potentially even more frightening,” the prime minister stated. She also praised the resistance of Ukrainian society, describing it as an expression of patriotism. “There is a people, a history, an identity that refuse to be destroyed. I would call that patriotism. And as a woman of the political right, I cannot help but admire it.” Her remarks come amid disagreements within Italy's governing coalition. Matteo Salvini, leader of the League party, has previously called for an end to further military and financial assistance to Ukraine, while Meloni continues to insist on supporting Kyiv.