what is the impact of the conflict on public opinion in Germany and Italy

If Europe advances with a united front behind Ukraine, in each country divisions exist on the support to be given to this country in its war against the forces of Vladimir Putin. This is particularly the case in Germany and Italy.

500,000 Germans sign a manifesto for peace

In Germany, the tradition of pacifism since the post-war period reappeared with the stalemate of the conflict on the Ukrainian ground. A manifesto is a great success in Germany. He advocates peace in the face of the risk of World War III and the nuclear escalation of the conflict. Sarah Wagenknecht, far-left pasionaria and Alice Schwarzer, a great figure of German feminism are behind this text. Although they are now strongly criticized, they argue that Russia cannot be defeated by Ukraine and that the delivery of heavy weapons, such as the Leopard tanks that Germany will deliver, will have the effect of prolonging the suffering of the two peoples. There is an echo within a population increasingly fractured into two blocs: only 48% of Germans now support the delivery of arms to Ukraine. These two women have planned to organize a large demonstration with white flags this Saturday in Berlin.

Italians among Europeans who least support sending arms to Ukraine

Less than one in two Italians is in favor of Ukraine joining the European Union. In the political class, if Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in particular has always spoken of 360 degree support for Ukrainians, others do not share this point of view. This is the case of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. He thus reproached Giorgia Meloni for speaking with Volodymyr Zelensky responsible, according to him, for the current situation in Ukraine. According to the Cavaliere, Zelensky “has not ceased to attack the two autonomous republics of Donbass”.