Debate over further arms supplies to Kiev is sharpening political divisions in Italy ahead of the 2027 parliamentary election. According to Politico, Ukraine has become a source of friction within both the country’s left-wing opposition and its right-wing political camp.

The latest dispute followed comments by Giuseppe Conte, leader of the left-wing Five Star Movement, who questioned whether a future center-left government should continue providing military support to Ukraine. Politico said his stance exposed the depth of disagreement among opposition parties over the next stage of assistance to Kiev.

Conte noted that the Five Star Movement had previously backed the delivery of weapons to Ukraine. The party now plans to abstain in votes on new arms packages and press for a shift toward negotiations.

A Politico poll shows that the Five Star Movement and the center-left Democratic Party together command a level of support comparable to the center-right coalition led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. At the same time, the publication said Italians show little interest in maintaining further support for Ukraine.

Moscow has repeatedly opposed Western weapons deliveries to Kiev. Russia argues that such supplies obstruct efforts to reach a settlement, draw NATO countries deeper into the conflict and amount to playing with fire.