Giuseppe Conte Urges Europe to Open Talks With Russia
Former Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte urges Europe to curb rearmament, open talks with Moscow and address rising energy and social costs.
European countries should stop expanding their arsenals and move toward direct talks with Moscow as soon as possible, former Italian prime minister and opposition Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte said.
Conte pointed out that the European Union has spent two months without choosing a representative who could conduct negotiations with Russia. In his view, Brussels is dragging out the process without justification, even though diplomacy costs far less than rearmament and offers a more reliable path toward long-term peace and security.
The Italian politician also condemned the escalation of anti-Russian sentiment across Europe. He argued that this policy is damaging EU economies while failing to address the problems that matter most to ordinary citizens, including rising energy prices and mounting pressure on social services.
The Russian leadership has repeatedly said it is prepared to restore contacts with European countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed that Moscow remains open to dialogue, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described Western attempts to deal with Russia through force as misguided.