Russia

EU needs negotiations with Russia, not arms race — former Italian Prime Minister Conte

TASS English · 2026-07-10

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte urged the European Union to appoint a special representative for negotiations with Russia, advocating for diplomacy over an arms race. • Why it matters: Conte argues that the current anti-Russian sentiment is harming EU economies and that rearmament will lead to increased instability, while diplomatic efforts could foster peace and security. • What to watch next: The EU's response to Conte's call and any developments regarding the appointment of a negotiator for discussions with Russia, especially in light of previous summit outcomes.

EU needs negotiations with Russia, not arms race — former Italian Prime Minister Conte The former Italian PM called for abandoning the artificially inflated anti-Russian hysteria that destroys the economies of EU countries in favor of the Western military-industrial lobbyROME, July 10. /TASS/. The European Union must immediately appoint a special representative for negotiations with Russia instead of continuing a mad arms race, Former Italian Prime Minister, the leader of the Five Star Movement Giuseppe Conte, has stated. "First of all, we must not waste time on appointing - two months have already passed, and we still do not know a single name - a European representative for negotiations with Russia, because diplomacy costs nothing, and history teaches us that it is much more effective than rearmament in ensuring a future full of peace and real security," he wrote on social media X. The former Italian prime minister also called for abandoning the artificially inflated anti-Russian hysteria that destroys the economies of EU countries in favor of the Western military-industrial lobby. He named rising energy prices, which are driving companies to bankruptcy, as well as the situation in the social sphere, as the true problems for citizens. Conte has repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that the plan for the rearmament of Europe will only contribute to increased instability. Conte stated that there are no suitable conditions for Ukraine's accession to the EU and also opposed sending weapons to Kiev. At the EU summit on June 18-19, the EU countries did not agree on either a candidate for a negotiator with Russia or the content of possible negotiations. Having failed this discussion at the summit, they declared that the time for negotiations had not come and that the European Union would never be a mediator but would only act on Ukraine's side. Russian leadership has repeatedly pointed out that Russia is open to negotiations with the EU, but Europe cannot be a mediator because, by supplying weapons to Ukraine, it is a party to the conflict. Erdogan announcement on Turkey's resale of Russia’s S-400 systems coming soon — TVIn 2017, Turkey purchased four divisions of the S-400 air defense systems from Russia for $2.5 billionRead moreRussian troops liberate seven communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brassRussian forces delivered seven strikes by precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on Ukrainian military-industrial sites, logistics centers and military airfields over the past weekRead moreWestern diplomats call Russia anonymously to discuss human rights reportGrigory Lukyantsev highlighted that outwardly the Western diplomats pretended that the report did not existRead moreRussia has sufficient potential to continue special military operation — KremlinRussia is ready for a peaceful resolution but has enough capability to act independently, Dmitry Peskov stressedRead moreAttacks on any nuclear plants, including Zaporozhye, Kursk, Bushehr unacceptable — GrossiThe IAEA director general noted that the agency is not currently observing or confirming any direct attack on the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, IranRead moreTrump’s proposals on Ukrainian airspace closure represent something new for MoscowDmitry Peskov stressed that the proposal voiced by the American president contradicted one of the set objectives of the Russian special military operationRead moreUS strikes Iran bridge on transport corridor connecting it with Russia, China — FarsThe strike targeted a railway bridge in the Akkala area of Golestan province near the Turkmen borderRead moreDeputy PM Novak key statements on fuel shortages, export bans, resellersThe official emphasized that Russia had sufficient fuel refining capacity at presentRead moreEurope openly prepares for war with Russia — representative to OSCEDmitry Polyansky said that only "shock therapy" could potentially shake the West out of its "militaristic psychosis"Read moreNo hope in human rights situation in Ukraine — Russian Foreign MinistryGrigory Lukyantsev, Russian Foreign Ministry's department director, says the section on this country has become the largest in the joint report of Russia and Belarus on the human rights situation in some countriesRead moreSingle Russian Lancet drone crew destroys 20 pieces of Ukrainian equipment in DPRThe targets hit included a Bogdana self-propelled gun, a T-62 tank, and armored combat vehicles transporting Ukrainian troops and ammunition to the front linesRead moreFire at port, evacuation, emergency response: Taganrog in aftermath of drone attackAn emergency response center has been establishedRead moreLondon, Stockholm courts issue unlawful rulings on Russian companies — PutinHead of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergey Katyrin stressed that they were politically motivatedRead moreRosatom CEO, IAEA chief start meeting in KaliningradThe sides are expected to discuss the situation around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and the Bushehr NPP in IranRead moreKremlin comments on contact with Turkey over S-400s, Ukraine buffer zoneAccording to Dmitry Peskov, Russia and the United States continue to maintain working-level contact as part of their bilateral dialogueRead moreIsrael to return first part of captured territories to Lebanon within days — CNNCENTCOM is coordinating with both countries to move forwardRead moreIran’s late Supreme Leader Khamenei laid to rest in MeshhedKhamenei was buried at the Imam Reza Holy Shrine, alongside his family members who were also killed as a result of US-Israeli bombingsRead moreNATO summit applause for Zelensky shows Europe’s return to Nazism — politicianEurope is returning to the era of political cannibalism, Viktor Medvedchuk pointed outRead moreChina opposes rising tensions in the Arctic — Foreign Ministry"China firmly opposes the stoking of the so-called 'Chinese threat' myth, as well as the creation of tensions and confrontation in the Arctic," Mao Ning saidRead moreEvacuation underway in Russia's Taganrog after UAV attackThe UAV threat remains in effect in the city, Mayor Svetlana Kambulova saidRead moreGerman parliament rejects Greens’ initiative to deliver Taurus missiles to KievOnly 79 lawmakers voted in support of the documentRead moreIranian army reports cruise missile attack on US vessels off Bahrain coastAccording to the report, a US destroyer was among those targetedRead moreNaval base in southeastern Iran comes under attack — news agencyGovernor of the Konarak County Mohammad Younes Haqqani says the attack, which was carried out in two stages, using fighter jets, resulted in two explosionsRead moreNATO reconnaissance aircraft flying over Black Sea has relocated to Baltic statesThe aircraft is currently cruising over Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia at an altitude of approximately 10.5 kilometersRead moreGasoline, diesel export ban needed to stabilize fuel situation — Deputy PM NovakThe complete ban on diesel and gasoline exports remains in effect in Russia until July 31Read moreDiplomat reveals number of Russian civilian casualties from past week’s attacks by Ukraine38 Russian civilians, including one child, were killed, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saidRead moreRussian Defense Ministry’s Africa Corps plays key role in defeating terrorists in MaliAccording to Vice President of the Defense Commission of the country's Transitional Council Fousseynou Ouattara, coordination and cooperation have been established between the Malian Armed Forces and the Africa Corps, enabling them to act proactively, prevent attacks, and mitigate emerging threatsRead morePutin discusses info threats posed by emerging technologies with Security CouncilThe Russian president added that this is a very important issueRead moreRussia-Belarus human rights report to be handed over to UN commissioner soonThere has been no official substantive reaction to the reports yet, Grigory Lukyantsev, Russian Foreign Ministry's department director, saysRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup West destroys 108 Ukrainian heavy quadcopters over past 24 hoursIn addition, six field ammunition depots, 45 unmanned aircraft control centers, and a Starlink satellite communications station were identified and eliminatedRead moreRussia’s appeals over Starobelsk college attack disregarded by OSCE — senior LPR lawmakerFirst Deputy Chairman of the People’s Council Andrey Sopelnik added that the UN Human Rights Council did not respond as wellRead moreNATO's aggressive actions and countering Patriot systems: Kremlin's statementsDmitry Peskov noted that the Russian government is doing everything necessary to protect the countryRead moreRussia has sufficient fuel refining capacity — Deputy PM NovakThe official emphasized that the Russian market was fully supplied with fuelRead moreIsrael ready to resume campaign against Iran — defense ministerThe United States and Israel started a war with Iran on February 28Read moreChina unlikely to secure leadership in Arctic without Russia — expertChina has no territory above the Arctic Circle, Irina Strelnikova, director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Arctic Research at HSE University, saidRead morePossibility of Putin-Trump conversation, US duplicity — topics of Peskov's briefingRussia believes US President Donald Trump was mistaken in suggesting that an escalation of military operations between Russia and Ukraine could contribute to an early settlement, Dmitry Peskov statedRead moreUN charter relevant while Germany, Japan, Italy vote against resolution on NazismGrigory Lukyantsev, Russian Foreign Ministry's department director, said that the number of states voting annually for the Russian resolution on combating the glorification of Nazism is stableRead moreCzech president says West has two-month 'window' to restart Russia talks — The TelegraphPetr Pavel also called for further militarizing EuropeRead moreAuthorities doing their best to protect refineries, maintain fuel output — Deputy PM NovakThe official noted that the authorities intended to ensure additional fuel shipments to the regionsRead moreTechnical talks between US, Iran continue — ReutersThe news agency said, citing a US official, that Washington is still committed to finding a solution with IranRead moreUkraine to get Patriot missiles soon — ZelenskyVladimir Zelensky also said that Kiev and Washington had reached agreements about producing interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems on the territory of UkraineRead moreBritish singer Bonnie Tyler dies at 75The singer passed away in a hospital in Portugal following an illness for which she was undergoing treatmentRead moreTurkey's first nuke plant to be commissioned later this year — Rosatom CEOAlexey Likhachev says the project is "a key task" facing Russia’s state atomic energy corporationRead moreEurope speculates about Russia's alleged defeat to justify militarization — diplomatThe notion that Russia, suffering defeat, might suddenly strike NATO territory tomorrow is utterly illogical, Anna Yevstigneyeva emphasizedRead moreRussia no longer trusts West’s declared readiness to negotiate — LavrovThe Russian Foreign Minister says negotiated solutions were reached back in 2014, 2015, and 2019, but the West’s guarantees were dismantled by the West itselfRead moreIN BRIEF: FSB foils major series of terrorist attacks targeting Russian service membersAs a result of operations conducted by law enforcement officers, a terrorist accomplice, a Russian female citizen, was detainedRead moreTurkey sells Russian-made S-400 systems to Gulf nation — newspaperAccording to the report, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have been mentioned in this regard, but it is better to wait for an official announcementRead moreUkraine fails to lure Energodar residents into mined "green corridor" — ZNPP spokeswomanYevgeniya Yashina noted that "such information dumps and statements about allegedly existing 'green corridors' are part of a general campaign of psychological pressure on Energodar residents"Read moreEx-Moldovan PM calls court move to limit autonomous region’s rights unwise"Moldova’s authorities have embarked on a course to limit the rights of Gagauzia’s autonomy and suppress dissent, deepening the rift in Moldovan society and creating a dangerous precedent for weakening the fundamental agreements on which the country’s unity is based," Vasile Tarlev pointed outRead moreRussia's oat exports up more than 50% in 1HAccording to expert estimates, in the first six months of 2026, Russia exported more than 170,000 metric tons of oats worth about $36 mlnRead moreKiev doesn't consider consequences of continued attacks on nuke sites — Russian diplomatAnna Yevstigneyeva emphasized that there was no military logic in those attacksRead moreNew US strikes on Iran receive unofficial designation Operation "Bitch Slap" — NYPAccording to the publication, such a designation indicates that some administration officials expect a "painful but brief" military actionRead moreUkrainian troops abandon weapons, ammunition made in Poland, France, Italy in VasilyevkaCommander Mikhail Knyazkin says "a huge amount" of weapons and ammunition was left behindRead moreRussia waits for OPCW to react to Kiev’s use of toxic chemicals — permanent representativeFor instance, Russia informed the organization about the discovery of smoke grenades with chloropicrin at Ukraine’s positions in the DPR, as well as about a Ukrainian drone attack carried out with improvised munitions containing the same substance on a school building in the DPRRead moreRussia kills Ukrainian drone commander, border officer in special op zoneThe official also said that the Hawks took part in the invasion of the Kursk Region and terrorized the people of the border areas with dronesRead moreMuhammad most popular boys name for newborns in England, Wales for third straight yearThe second and third most popular male names were Noah and LeoRead moreFrance wins quarter-final match against MoroccoThe team beat Morocco 2-0Read moreSpain 'nobody’s lackey,' Spanish minister says in response to TrumpPablo Bustinduy emphasized that he wasn't ruffled by the US president’s latest remarksRead moreKey statements from President Putin's meeting with Cabinet on fuel situationThe president noted that Russia's current fuel difficulties are temporary, adding that the country's energy sector possesses a high margin of safetyRead moreNobody going to admit Ukraine to NATO even in a decade, former PM saysNikolay Azarov added that, at the same time, no NATO ally receives as much funding, the same amount of modern weapons, intelligence, and political support as UkraineRead moreUS warplanes again detected circling over Persian GulfBesides, two more planes are flying over the Persian Gulf coast and two - over the neutral waters of the Gulf of OmanRead moreState of emergency introduced in Zaporozhye Region from July 9 due to drone-induced firesThe total area of destroyed winter wheat crops amounts to 1,479 hectaresRead moreChinese embassy to US expects Kiev to view Beijing’s role in Ukraine context objectivelySpokesperson Liu Chang says dialogue and negotiations are the only viable way out of the crisisRead moreRussia remains in contact with Turkey on S-400 issue — KremlinEarlier, the Turkish pro-government newspaper reported that the S-400 systems purchased by Turkey from Russia had been sold to one of the Persian Gulf countriesRead moreRussian troops strike Ukrainian army’s logistics centers, energy sites in past dayThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,385 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreRussian, Chinese ships enter Yellow Sea for Joint Sea-2026 drillsThe press service recalled that commanders and officers had previously completed planning for the sea phase of the drills using navigation chartsRead moreMali finds evidence of Ukraine-trained terrorists operating in countryVice President of the Defense Commission of the country's Transitional Council Fousseynou Ouattara emphasized that all the drones used by the terrorists are of Ukrainian originRead moreRussia fully aware of US actively supplying weapons to Kiev, has no delusions — KremlinThe decision for the US to transfer a license for the production of Patriot systems to Ukraine was announced yesterday by US President Donald TrumpRead morePress review: MidEast tensions fuel US politics and world economy adapts to Hormuz crisesTop stories from the Russian press on Friday, July 10thRead moreIran uses Soviet-era fighter jets to provide security at Khamenei's funeralThe jets conducted patrols to secure the airspace over Mashhad as part of heightened security measuresRead morePolish politician's aid to Russian troops signals fatigue with anti-Russian line — expertEarlier, Krzysztof Tolwinski provided Russian military personnel with first-aid kitsRead moreOil refinery fire, evacuations in Taganrog, 376 UAVs target Russia: new attacksA fire broke out at the Ilsky oil refinery in the Seversky district of the Krasnodar Region after UAV debris fell on the siteRead moreSCO, Laos sign memorandum on Dialogue Partner status for VientianeAccording to SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, Vientiane is ready to play an active part in the SCO’s workRead moreNetanyahu tells Trump that Erdogan’s anti-Israeli remarks were seriousThe Israeli prime minister emphasized that the remarks were directed against the existence of the State of IsraelRead morePress review: NATO summit pledges 140 bln euros for Ukraine and US ends Iran peace effortsTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 9thRead moreSound of explosion in Bushehr caused by air defense engagementA military base on the outskirts of the city was attacked, Bushehr Province Deputy Governor Ehsan Jahanian saidRead moreUS finds itself in strategic dead end in situation with Iran — expertNone of the Washington administration's approaches to Tehran have worked, Richard N. Haass saidRead morePress review: US, Europe may clash over Ukraine as China missile alarms Pacific regionTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 7thRead moreDeputy PM Novak reports fuel shortages in Russia due to drone strikes on refineriesThe official earlier noted that panic buying had led to a demand surge of approximately 20-30%Read moreRussians' trust level in Putin exceeds 72% — pollThe activities of the Russian government are approved by 44.9% of respondentsRead morePregnant woman survives seventh-floor fall in VladivostokThe woman remains under medical supervisionRead moreWest does not care how many people killed in Russia, Ukraine — Russian diplomatRussia's Acting Permanent Representative to the UN Anna Yevstigneyeva stated that "deaths of innocent civilians, killings of women, children and the elderly will not stop them"Read moreRussian troops using newest Zavarukha counter-battery system in special op zone — NPO Alfa"The latest counter-battery system Zavarukha is the most compact sound reconnaissance system for detecting enemy firing positions," the company saidRead moreRussian tech firm Gagaring offers jobs to Volkswagen employees on chopping blockFor those who accept the offer, the laboratory guarantees permanent employment contracts, a competitive salary, and comprehensive relocation support for specialists and their familiesRead moreOrganizers announce Eastern Economic Forum’s theme for 2026The forum will take place in Vladivostok on September 1-4Read morePolitician says Kiev behind Monaco attack over tycoon’s plan to expose Ukraine corruptionViktor Medvedchuk says the uncovering of the schemes "would have spelt a disaster for the Kiev regime ahead of the NATO summit"Read moreRussia’s Mnogotochie special rounds effective against drones — RostecAccording to Bekkhan Ozdoyev, industrial director of Rostec’s Armament Cluster, board member of the Union of Russian Machine-Building Enterprises, combat operations in the special military operation zone in Ukraine are called a "drone war" because drones attack both equipment and soldiers from all sidesRead moreDeath toll from Venezuela earth quake climbs to 3,88916,740 people were injured and 17,907 were left homeless, said Jorge Rodriguez, the president of the National AssemblyRead moreIran was able to ‘smash’ US, Israel, despite NATO involvement in conflict — MPAlaeddin Boroujerdi highlighted that the Americans saw it as their goal to interfere in the affairs of every independent country and bring war to itRead moreFACTBOX: What we know about foiled attack on military airfield in Rostov-on-DonThe FSB identified a Russian citizen in the Rostov Region sought by Ukraine's military intelligence to recruit to carry out a sabotage and terrorist attack in exchange for a monetary reward after blowing up the Rostov-Central military airfieldRead moreRussia’s aerostats prove effective in counter-UAV combat — expertPolina Albek noted that developing this field requires time and investment in research and developmentRead moreRussia hopes situation in Energodar to improve after negotiations with — IAEA envoyRussia had reasonable complaints about how slowly and insufficiently strongly the agency's secretariat reacted to the incidents that took place in Energodar, Mikhail Ulyanov saidRead moreUp to 11 parties to appear on federal ballot in Russian parliamentary elections — officialCentral Election Commission Chairperson Ella Pamfilova pointed out that political parties were required to hold congresses to nominate their candidates no later than July 11, 2026Read moreIsrael to join new US attacks on Iran if necessary — NYPAccordung to the report, Israel is "not eager to go back to the day when people have to go to shelters"Read moreJapan supports anti-Russian sanctions, but maintaining ties is important — senior diplomatAccording to Takeshi Akahori, Tokyo "will act accordingly, based on what serves its national interests"Read moreIsrael shared intelligence on alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump with US — WSJAccording to the newspaper, the intelligence could prompt the United States to take a tougher stance and further escalate the conflict with IranRead moreIN BRIEF: Five injured in car accident involving Kursk Region top officialFirst Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Kursk Region government Alexander Chepik was not injuredRead moreSome Iranian missiles fired at US bases in Middle East reached targets — WSJUS officials claimed the attacks had caused minor damage and no casualtiesRead moreFour residents injured in Kherson Region in Ukrainian attacks over past dayDamage to infrastructure and property was reported in 18 settlementsRead moreUS prepared for potential strikes on Iran, conducting diplomacy for now — TVUS officials told CNN that the situation is dynamicRead moreAist reconnaissance-strike system was demonstrated in KazanIvan Terekhov, Executive Director of Irbis Sky Tech, noted that the Aist has already undergone testing in the special military operational zoneRead more

Source: TASS English
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

Anti-War Politician Boris Nadezhdin Branded ‘Foreign Agent’

• What happened: Boris Nadezhdin, an anti-war politician in Russia, has been designated as a "foreign agent" by the Justice Ministry, which prohibits ...

Russia

Australia to return 3 ancient artefacts to India

• What happened: Australia will return three ancient artefacts stolen from South Indian temples, while India will return the remains of a First Nations ancestor...

Russia

China, North Korea must maintain strategic resilience — Xi

• What happened: Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of maintaining strategic resilience between China and North Korea during a meeting with ...

Russia

Russian UAV solutions are head and shoulders above foreign counterparts — expert

• What happened: Igor Lapin, CEO of Aviron, stated that Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology significantly surpasses foreign models, as demonstrated...

Russia

Israel responds to viral PHOTO of tortured Palestinian

• What happened: Israel's military confirmed the authenticity of a viral photo depicting a semi-naked, blindfolded Palestinian man bound to an iron rod, wh...

Russia

Moscow tells Berlin to stop arming Kiev instead of preaching peace

• What happened: The Russian Foreign Ministry urged Germany to stop its military support for Ukraine, claiming it perpetuates the ongoing conflict, in response ...