Former General Roberto Vannacci Emerges as 'Trojan Horse' for Russian Influence in Italy, Threatening Meloni's Re-election
Former General Roberto Vannacci has launched a new political front in Italy, challenging Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's pro-Ukraine foreign policy with rhetoric that aligns with Russia's narrative. Vannacci, who previously served as Italy's military attaché in Moscow, attributed rising Italian gasoline prices to Ukraine and drone attacks on Russian refineries. He called for an end to providing weapons and money to Ukraine in a social media video. His new party, Futuro Nazionale, established this year after his split from Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini's Lega party, has garnered 7.6 percent support in recent polls, drawing voters from Meloni's right-wing coalition. Analysts, including senior researcher Nona Mikhelidze from the Institute for International Affairs, suspect Russian influence behind Vannacci's rise, labeling him a 'Russian project.' The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) has described Vannacci as a 'Trojan horse for Russian influence in Italy,' noting his strategy of linking sa... 
