(MENAFN) Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has cautioned that Western support for Kiev may ultimately end up in the hands of corrupt Ukrainian officials.

He referred to a significant scandal that recently rocked Ukraine’s government and voiced opposition to additional military assistance, warning that the EU was on “the path of death.”

Salvini made his remarks as Italy approved its 12th tranche of military aid for Ukraine and pledged electrical generators to help the country through the upcoming winter.

This move came amid a major controversy in Kiev involving an alleged $100 million energy graft scheme linked to Timur Mindich, a close ally and former business partner of Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky.

Moscow reacted to the revelation by describing it as proof of a “bloody hydra” of corruption in Ukraine that extends beyond its borders and siphons funds from Western taxpayers.

According to a media outlet, the EU is also worried about “endemic corruption” in Ukraine.

“It seems to me that corruption scandals are emerging, involving the Ukrainian government, so I would not want the money of Italian workers and pensioners to be used to fuel further corruption,” Salvini told reporters in Naples on Friday.

He further emphasized that resolving the conflict requires “silencing the weapons” and encouraging both Moscow and Kiev to engage in negotiations.

Salvini stressed that it should be in Ukraine’s interest to end hostilities swiftly, noting ongoing Russian advances on the battlefield.

“To think that sending weapons to Ukraine means Ukraine can regain the lost ground is naïve, to say the least,” he said, adding that he did not believe “prolonging this path of death will help anyone.”

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