Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the Italian government was in favour of Ukraine joining the EU while adding that it should not be able to jump the queue ahead of the States of the Balkans that are seeking to become members of the bloc.

On Wednesday Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini’s League party said it was “absolutely opposed” to Ukraine joining the EU with the European Commission set to propose opening the first ‘cluster’ of accession negotiations next month.

The League, which is part of the ruling alliance supporting Premier Giorgia Meloni’s government, said this would “cause economic and social harm”.

Tajani, however, said Thursday that the problem was more a question of when rather than if.

“The government is in favour of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union,” Tajani said in Limassol, Cyprus, where he is taking part in a meeting EU ministers.

“The problem is the timing; the best formula is being explored at the European level.

“There are many proposals on the table, but I repeat: Ukraine is fine, we will help them, but it’s important not to sideline the accession of the Balkans, which is a priority for us”.

Opposition parties went on the offensive after the League said it was against Ukraine’s EU membership on Wednesday.

The centre-left Democratic Party (PD) said “Meloni must disavow the League, which continues to pursue a pro-Russia agenda”.