Between Ukraine, economy and Italian Scandals
The negotiation table for Ukraine’s pacification is being set amid tensions and disagreements. This week, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky exchanged sharp statements, highlighting the strong opposition that characterizes the early stages of the conflict resolution process, which promises to be long and full of twists. On one side, Trump labeled Zelensky as a “dictator without elections,” accusing him of wanting to prolong the conflict for personal political gain and of having initiated the war against Russia. In response, Zelensky criticized the United States for facilitating negotiations with Russia, accusing Trump of being influenced by Moscow’s disinformation. One thing, however, is certain: Kyiv seeks reliable security guarantees before agreeing to end the conflict.
Despite the tensions, Zelensky met with Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, stating that Ukraine is ready to negotiate an agreement, while the Trump administration has proposed an “enhanced” economic deal regarding the management of Ukraine’s rare mineral resources.
Meanwhile, in Frankfurt, the European Central Bank (ECB) has lowered its key interest rates by 25 basis points, bringing the deposit rate to 2.75%, the main refinancing operations rate to 2.90%, and the marginal refinancing operations rate to 3.15%. Despite high inflation, experts predict further rate cuts in 2025, with the ECB potentially implementing only two additional cuts this year.
In Italy, much debate has been sparked in recent days by the case of Undersecretary for Justice Andrea Delmastro, who has been sentenced to eight months in prison for disclosing confidential official information in the Cospito case. The conviction concerns the release of classified documents aimed at targeting opposition parliamentarians. However, Delmastro has stated that he has no intention of resigning, calling the verdict “political.” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed dismay at the ruling but reaffirmed her confidence in the undersecretary. The controversy has had clear political repercussions, uniting the opposition in demanding his resignation and causing embarrassment within the majority. A majority now “troubled” by the judicial involvement of some prominent figures, which may soon be forced to take a clearer and more decisive stance on the issue.
