Tens of thousands of people marched this Saturday in Rome to demand peace in Ukraine and the cessation of the shipment of weapons by the Italian government to fight against the Russian invasion.
“No to war. No to sending weapons,” read a large banner carried by protesters – numbering 30,000, according to police figures cited by Italian media – who chanted: “Give peace a chance!”
Italy, one of the founding members of NATO, has supported Ukraine since the start of the conflict in late February, notably by providing it with weapons.
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The new far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said that will not change and that the government plans to send additional military equipment soon.
But some, including former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, believe Italy should step up negotiations.
“Weapons were sent in early on the grounds that they would prevent an escalation,” said one protester. “Nine months later, it seems to me that there has been an escalation. Look at the facts: sending weapons doesn’t help stop a war, weapons help fuel a war.”
According to student Sara Gianpietro, the conflict is prolonged by the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, which “has economic consequences for our country, but also for respect for human rights.”
This Friday, the foreign ministers of the G7 states, including Italy, promised to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
Source: BFM TV
