Italy's FM accuses own party of undermining efforts to support Ukraine

“In a statement, Mr Di Maio said the government had to defend the values of democracy and freedom, adding that while everyone wanted peace, Russian President Vladimir Putin was pursuing war,” Sky News reports.

Di Maio said that members in his 5-Star Movement party were attacking him with "hatred" and causing trouble for the government and its standing with its EU partners.

"[This is] an immature attitude that tends to create tensions and instability within the government," he said.

The comments come as Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi faces an important vote in parliament on Tuesday over Ukraine, with some 5-Star members looking to limit Italy from sending further weapons to Kyiv.

As reported, on June 16, President of France Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi held talks with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

The leaders stressed that France, Germany, and Italy support granting Ukraine the EU candidate status.

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