By Sam, Professional Journalist
Rome, July 10, 2025 — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has emerged as a pivotal figure in the global response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, balancing staunch support for Kyiv with domestic political pressures. At the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference held in Rome on July 10, 2025, Meloni issued a bold challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring that no entities collaborating with Russia should profit from Ukraine’s reconstruction. This stance, part of her broader commitment to Ukraine’s freedom and prosperity, underscores her efforts to maintain Western unity while navigating tensions within her coalition and countering Putin’s influence. Below, we explore Meloni’s position, the context of her coalition’s dynamics, and the implications for Ukraine’s recovery.

Meloni’s Stance: No Profits for Russia-Linked Entities

During her speech at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, Meloni emphasized, “We want to work with Ukraine to ensure that entities which have contributed to financing the Russian war machine do not benefit from the reconstruction.” This statement, reported by Sky News and The Independent, reflects her determination to hold accountable companies and individuals tied to Russia’s aggression. The conference saw pledges exceeding €10 billion ($11.7 billion) for Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts, with Meloni advocating for a Ukraine Economic Recovery Executive (UERE) to streamline these funds and ensure transparency.

Meloni’s call aligns with the European Union’s sanctions regime, which has targeted Russia’s energy revenues, banks, and military industry since the 2022 invasion. Her administration has taken concrete steps, such as giving Italian bank UniCredit nine months to cease operations in Russia as a condition for its proposed takeover of Banco BPM. This move signals Italy’s commitment to isolating Russia economically while supporting Ukraine’s long-term recovery.

Domestic Challenges: Coalition Tensions Over Russia

Meloni’s resolute anti-Russia stance is complicated by her coalition partners, particularly Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, who has historically expressed admiration for Putin. Salvini’s past actions, including signing a 2017 cooperation pact with Putin’s United Russia party and wearing Putin-themed T-shirts, have raised concerns about his pro-Russian sympathies. In 2025, Salvini has sought to revive his political fortunes by appealing to voters skeptical of increased military spending and Ukraine’s peacekeeping role, with only 6% of Italians supporting a major role in Ukraine, per polls cited by Politico.

Salvini’s recent unauthorized call with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his opposition to EU defense plans have strained Meloni’s coalition. Politico reports that Salvini’s actions reflect a broader strategy to appeal to his populist base, which is wary of Italy’s financial burdens amid rising military costs. Meloni, aware of these divisions, has shifted her rhetoric, downplaying earlier confidence in Ukraine’s victory and questioning EU rearmament plans to appease her coalition’s right flank. Despite this, she remains committed to NATO and Ukraine, as evidenced by her proposal to extend NATO’s Article 5 security guarantees to Ukraine without full membership, a move to test Putin’s peace intentions.

In contrast, Meloni’s other coalition partner, Forza Italia, led by Antonio Tajani, is pro-European and supportive of Ukraine, creating a delicate balancing act. To maintain coalition stability, Meloni has praised centrist rival Carlo Calenda, signaling potential alliances beyond Salvini’s League, according to Francesco Galietti of Policy Sonar. This strategic maneuvering highlights her challenge in keeping her government intact while upholding Italy’s international commitments.

Meloni’s Evolution on Russia and Ukraine

Meloni’s current hardline stance against Putin marks a significant shift from her earlier positions. Before Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Meloni expressed admiration for Putin’s defense of “European values” and supported lifting sanctions on Russia in 2014, even congratulating him on his 2018 re-election. However, since the invasion, she has condemned Russia’s actions, pledging continued military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Her 2023 visit to Kyiv, where she met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited Bucha, underscored this commitment, with Meloni stating, “Ukraine can count on Italy from the beginning and will be until the end.”

Her transformation is partly strategic, aimed at gaining international legitimacy. As leader of the Brothers of Italy, a party with neofascist roots, Meloni has sought to distance herself from the pro-Putin sentiments of far-right allies like Hungary’s Viktor Orban. Her support for Ukraine and NATO, coupled with her role as a bridge between European leaders and the Trump administration, has positioned her as a key player in transatlantic relations. At the 2025 funeral of Pope Francis, Meloni facilitated a meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, described as a potential “turning point” for Ukraine.

The Reconstruction Challenge: Excluding Russian Collaborators

Meloni’s insistence on barring Russia-linked entities from Ukraine’s reconstruction addresses a critical issue. The European Commission and G7 nations have frozen Russian state assets, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirming their status at the Rome conference. However, identifying and excluding companies that have collaborated with Russia poses logistical and political challenges. For instance, Italian firms with historical ties to Russia, particularly in energy, face scrutiny, as do multinational corporations operating in Russia despite sanctions.

The proposed UERE, championed by Meloni, aims to provide political leadership and coordination for reconstruction, ensuring funds are directed to credible projects. The Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) suggests that Meloni’s relationships with Trump and Zelenskyy position her to lead this effort, turning the Rome conference into a turning point for Ukraine’s economic recovery. The initiative seeks to create a business-friendly climate for private investment, addressing war risks and bureaucratic hurdles that have slowed reconstruction.

Public and International Sentiment

Italian public opinion is divided, with 69% favoring a common European army but only a quarter viewing Russia as an ally, per NPR and the European Council for Foreign Relations. Meloni’s push for increased pressure on Moscow, as reported by Pravda, responds to growing war fatigue among Italians and Europeans, who seek a ceasefire to end the conflict’s economic fallout. Her call for diplomacy, backed by deterrence, reflects this sentiment: “It’s about what we can do to really create pressure and provide deterrence.”

On X, sentiments vary. @Giornaleditalia praised Meloni’s outreach to Zelenskyy, stating, “Meloni tende la mano a Zelensky contro Putin: ‘Piano russo fallito, vogliamo Kiev libera e prospera’” (Meloni extends a hand to Zelensky against Putin: “Russian plan failed, we want a free and prosperous Kyiv”). Other posts highlight her coalition’s divisions, with some users criticizing Salvini’s pro-Russian leanings.

Implications and Future Outlook

Meloni’s challenge to exclude Russia-linked entities from Ukraine’s reconstruction is a bold step, but its success hinges on international cooperation and domestic stability. The EU’s sanctions and the UERE’s establishment could ensure transparency, but enforcing accountability across global firms is complex. Her coalition’s fragility, particularly Salvini’s pro-Russian rhetoric, risks undermining her leadership, though a break with the League seems unlikely given Salvini’s past political missteps.

Meloni’s NATO Article 5 proposal and her role in fostering Trump-Zelenskyy dialogue demonstrate her diplomatic ambition. However, with Trump’s administration exploring reduced U.S. support for Ukraine and Putin rejecting European peacekeepers, as reported by the Kyiv Independent, Meloni faces an uphill battle in aligning Western interests. The Supreme Court’s June 2025 ruling limiting nationwide injunctions may also complicate transatlantic coordination on sanctions enforcement.

Conclusion

Giorgia Meloni’s challenge to Putin at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference underscores her commitment to a free and prosperous Ukraine, free from the influence of Russia-linked entities. By advocating for a Ukraine Economic Recovery Executive and leveraging her transatlantic ties, she aims to lead on reconstruction while navigating coalition tensions with Matteo Salvini’s pro-Russian faction. Her evolution from a Putin admirer to a staunch Ukraine supporter reflects strategic pragmatism, positioning Italy as a key player in the West’s response to Russia. As the war continues, Meloni’s ability to balance domestic pressures with international leadership will shape Ukraine’s recovery and Italy’s role on the global stage.

Sources: Politico, Sky News, The Independent, The New York Times, AP News, Euronews, CEPA, Kyiv Independent, Pravda, NPR, The Guardian