The League, the Italian right wing conservative party, has announced that its 2017 political cooperation agreement with United Russia is no longer valid because of the situation in Ukraine. The party described the agreement as having been driven by political calculations at the time, which do not reflect current realities and bilateral dynamics in the region. The statement indicates a shift in how the League views its relationship with Russia amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the broader changes in regional alliances that followed. Source attribution: RIA News.
According to the League, the purely political aims that underpinned the 2017 collaboration with United Russia have ceased to hold relevance. The party pointed to the escalation of the Ukraine crisis as a turning point that altered judgments and political relations with Moscow. Previously, the Russian Federation occupied a central place in discussions with Italian governments, including those affiliated with the League, and acted as a significant interlocutor on strategic matters. This shift reflects a broader recalibration of Italy’s posture toward Russia in light of new security, diplomatic, and geopolitical considerations that have arisen in recent years. Source attribution: RIA News.
Earlier comments from Italy’s foreign affairs leadership were cited in connection with the affair. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was quoted as stating that Italy was not implicated in a controversy involving allegations that members of the European Parliament received funds from Russia. The emphasis in those remarks was on preserving the integrity of Italy’s participation in the European Union’s political ecosystem while addressing concerns about external funding. Source attribution: RIA News.
There is also mention of prior calls within Italian political circles to return Russia to a place within the European family of nations, signaling a longstanding debate about Russia’s role in Europe. The evolving stance described by the League illustrates how domestic political actors are reassessing relationships with Moscow in response to the Ukraine crisis and the resulting realignments at both regional and EU levels. Source attribution: RIA News.