Politics · Italy · 7 hrs ago
M5S and Democratic Party clash over arms for Ukraine
M5S lawmaker Francesco Silvestri opposed sending more Italian arms to Ukraine, responding to Democratic Party senator Filippo Sensi.
Sensi said a future centre-left government would send arms, while Silvestri said he should deliver them himself if he supported the policy.
The dispute exposes a sharp divide within Italy’s centre-left coalition over how to support Ukraine.
Silvestri said continued arms supplies were worsening Ukrainians’ conditions and called instead for dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.
He also praised a coalition motion opposing a target of spending 5% of gross domestic product on defence, which he said would harm Italy’s economy and society.
The coalition has agreed on other issues, including housing and a minimum wage, Silvestri said.
He proposed holding primaries to settle the disagreement, so voters could help set the coalition’s political direction.
M5S lawmaker Francesco Silvestri rejected Democratic Party senator Filippo Sensi’s call for a future centre-left government to send weapons to Ukraine.
Silvestri said a progressive government should stop sending weapons and instead support European efforts to pursue dialogue with Vladimir Putin.
He argued that continued arms supplies were worsening conditions for Ukrainians and called for a political break with the current approach.
Silvestri said the centre-left coalition had agreed to oppose rearmament and the target of spending 5% of GDP on the military.
He suggested holding primaries to let voters help determine the coalition’s direction on the issue.
- Who
- M5S lawmaker Francesco Silvestri and Democratic Party senator Filippo Sensi.
- What
- They disagreed over whether a future centre-left government should send arms to Ukraine.
- When
- The article was published on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- They differ over whether military aid helps Ukraine or worsens its situation; Silvestri favours stopping arms supplies and pursuing dialogue.
Francesco Silvestri (M5S)
Filippo Sensi (Democratic Party)
Arms for Ukraine
Francesco Silvestri (M5S)
Silvestri said a progressive government should stop sending weapons.
Filippo Sensi (Democratic Party)
Sensi said a progressive government would send weapons to Ukraine.
How to support Ukraine
Francesco Silvestri (M5S)
Silvestri said Europe should support dialogue with Putin to end the war.
Filippo Sensi (Democratic Party)
Sensi’s quoted remarks support sending arms; no further position is stated.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Publication date
- October 15, 2026
- M5S speaker
- Francesco Silvestri
- Democratic Party speaker
- Filippo Sensi
- Military spending target
- 5% of GDP
What people are saying
With a progressive government, we will send weapons for real.
If he enjoys sending weapons so much, he can do it personally or help this government do it.
After four years, if you keep sending weapons and do not give support, you are worsening the conditions of Ukrainians.