Italian officials have issued many mixed reactions to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) on January 22.
Speaking at the event, the Ukrainian leader criticized the European Union (EU), instead of expressing sympathy for the aid totaling up to 193 billion euros (210 billion USD) that this bloc has given to Kiev since the conflict with Russia broke out in 2022.
Mr. Zelensky said that European leaders lack decisive action, calling on the EU to do more for its own defense capabilities, and urging the bloc to strengthen measures to cut off Russian oil supplies.
Just last year, also in Davos, I concluded my speech with the sentence: Europe needs to know how to protect itself. A year has passed and nothing has changed" - Mr. Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian President said that Europe should have been "a global force", but now it is just like "a fragmented glass of small and medium powers".
Reacting to these controversial statements, Italian MP Rossano Sasso, a member of the Lega Nord Party (Northern League), called on the EU and Rome to immediately stop military aid to Ukraine.
No more weapons. No more money from Italy for a conflict that is not ours," Mr. Sasso declared.
According to Mr. Sasso, Europe's "giving of money" to Ukraine to maintain the conflict has pushed this continent to the brink of "a world war". From that perspective, he believes that the EU has no basis to complain and being criticized by President Zelensky is a consequence that this bloc has self-harbored.
Everyone must receive what they deserve" - Mr. Sasso said, considering this an inevitable consequence of the EU's approach in the Ukraine conflict.
According to Mr. Sasso, if the EU "really wants to help the Ukrainian people, instead of prolonging the conflict", then the bloc needs to ask Mr. Zelensky to accept peace.
Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that Mr. Zelensky's statements aimed at European countries supporting Kiev show disrespect for the aid they have provided.
Mr. Tajani emphasized that Europe has played a decisive role in protecting Ukraine's sovereignty.
In my opinion, Europe has ensured Ukraine's independence by doing everything possible to support this country politically, financially and militarily. Therefore, I think that speech was not generous," he told reporters.
