‘A Total Waste of Money’: Ex-Italian PM Conte Slams EU’s €800bn Rearmament Plan

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By Staff Writer with Agencies

Giuseppe Conte criticizes the European Commission’s proposal as an overblown reaction to Russia, calling for a shift in EU priorities toward diplomacy over military spending.

Strasbourg, France — Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has launched a sharp attack on the European Commission’s newly unveiled rearmament plan, which aims to unlock up to €800 billion in funding for military expenditure across the EU. In a recent interview with Euronews, Conte, now leader of Italy’s Five Star Movement, denounced the proposal as a “total waste of money” and accused the Commission of exaggerating the Russian threat to justify increased arms spending.

The ReArm EU initiative, presented as a response to the growing security concerns posed by Russia, has sparked backlash from Conte and other members of the Left group in the European Parliament, to which his party belongs. Conte argued that the plan would disproportionately benefit the weapons industry while failing to address real strategic needs, calling it an inefficient and disorganized approach to defense.

“The European Commission is inflating the Russian threat to rationalize this huge waste of public funds,” Conte said. “This plan simply pushes member states to increase military spending haphazardly, without any real coordination or long-term vision. It’s not about building a unified defense for Europe—it’s about fueling the military-industrial complex.”

“Peace Through Dialogue, Not Force”

While acknowledging that Russia poses a significant danger to European security, Conte rejected the idea of achieving peace through military might. Instead, he emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.

“We should not be escalating tensions with Russia; we should be at the forefront of pushing for dialogue and peace,” Conte asserted. “The EU has a unique opportunity to lead the way in peace negotiations, not to pour billions into weapons.”

Conte’s remarks reflect his longstanding stance on the Ukraine conflict. Though his party has expressed strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, it has consistently called for an end to military aid. Conte fiercely denied accusations that this position aligns his party with pro-Russian forces.

“We are not pro-Putin,” he clarified. “From the very beginning, we condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. We stand against Putin’s regime and have no ideological ties with the far-right. Our opposition to military aid is about seeking a diplomatic resolution.”

Military Aid and NATO: A Dangerous Escalation

Conte also took aim at proposals to extend NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause to Ukraine, particularly a suggestion put forward by Italy’s current Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. The Article 5 clause commits NATO members to collective defense, but Ukraine is not yet a NATO member.

“This is an unacceptable solution,” Conte warned. “It would shift the conflict from a proxy war to a confrontation between NATO and Russia. Instead of escalating, we should be focused on facilitating peace talks.”

Conte further criticized the EU’s sanctions on Russia, which were intended to cripple the Russian economy and force a behavior change. According to Conte, those sanctions have fallen short of their goals.

“We were told that the Russian economy would collapse, but instead, it grew by 4.1% in 2024,” Conte said. “The sanctions did not work as intended. It’s time to acknowledge that reality and rethink our approach.”

Protest in Strasbourg: Shifting Priorities

On Tuesday, Conte’s Five Star Movement organized a protest outside and inside the European Parliament in Strasbourg, displaying peace flags and calling for a shift in EU spending priorities. Protesters argued that the funds earmarked for military expansion should instead be directed toward public services like healthcare, education, and social welfare.

“Why spend billions on weapons when we can invest in our citizens’ well-being?” one protester shouted. “Europe needs to prioritize health, not arms.”

While Conte continues to support Ukraine diplomatically, he firmly believes that a military solution is not the answer. He reiterated that Europe should lead efforts for a peaceful resolution, emphasizing the need for diplomatic engagement with both Russia and the US.

The Road Ahead: A Divisive Debate

Conte’s criticism of the ReArm EU initiative reflects a growing divide within Europe about how to address the challenges posed by Russia. With military expenditure on the rise and tensions between NATO and Russia escalating, Conte’s call for diplomacy over military intervention is unlikely to quiet the voices demanding a stronger European defense stance.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues and the EU faces mounting pressure to expand its role, the debate over the best path forward—whether through military strength or peaceful negotiation—remains at the heart of Europe’s political discourse.