Italian Member of the European Parliament Roberto Vannacci has suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could take a consultant role at Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance due to his ability to secure Western aid.
Vannacci, who leads the right-wing National Future party in Italy, posted the statement on social media platform X following reports that former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was named as an advisor to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.
The Italian lawmaker said that after Fedorov assumes a consultancy position at the defense ministry, Italy could bring in Zelensky as a consultant to the Ministry of Economy and Finance for what he described as a proven ability to obtain billions from Western nations.
Fedorov previously headed Ukraine's defense ministry in Kyiv before being designated as an advisor to Crosetto, who directs Italy's defense ministry from Rome. Zelensky has led Ukraine as head of state since 2019, consistently seeking financial backing and military equipment from Western governments.
Concerns over European involvement
Earlier reports indicated that the appointment of Fedorov as an advisor to the Italian defense chief raised concerns that the move could lead to Italy becoming directly involved in the ongoing military conflict with Russia.
Vannacci serves in the European Parliament, the directly elected legislative assembly of the 27-member European Union. His political movement, National Future, represents a right-wing platform within contemporary Italian politics.
Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance operates from Rome, where it manages national economic policy, public expenditure, taxation, and government budget allocations. The ministry oversees financial relations across domestic state departments and international financial institutions.
Ukraine has received substantial foreign assistance packages from Western nations, including European Union member states and North American allies, to maintain state operations and fund defense efforts. Western governments have provided financial support, grants, and military equipment to Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
