Italian MP calls for Ukraine’s sovereignty not to become a bargaining chip

Ukraine must independently decide who represents it in peace negotiations, and turning its sovereignty into a bargaining chip threatens the security of all of Europe. This was stated by Italian Chamber of Deputies member Silvio Lai in a comment to Guildhall.

The lawmaker criticized US President Donald Trump’s statement that someone other than President Volodymyr Zelensky should conduct negotiations on behalf of Ukraine.

“On October 19, President Trump said that someone other than President Zelensky should conduct negotiations on behalf of Ukraine. This is a troubling statement: Ukraine, not a foreign leader, must decide who represents it at the negotiating table,” Lai emphasized.

According to him, when combined with reports of threats to suspend the PURL weapons procurement mechanism unless Kyiv stops striking Russian oil refineries, this position reflects a mistaken and dangerous approach.

The lawmaker noted that negotiations with Vladimir Putin are necessary, but their outcome cannot be judged by Ukraine’s willingness to accept imposed terms.

“The success of diplomacy is measured by the end of aggression and the reliability of security guarantees, not by Ukraine’s willingness to accept imposed terms. Russia remains responsible for the war: no mediation can absolve it of that responsibility,” he said.

Lai warned that establishing an international order in which great powers decide the fate of other countries would be dangerous for Europe.

“If we allow Ukraine’s sovereignty to become a bargaining chip, it will weaken our own security as well,” the lawmaker concluded.

Earlier, Czech parliamentarian Vitezslav Shrek said in a comment to Guildhall that US concessions to Moscow encourage Russian aggression, and called on Europe to rethink its approach to its own security.