Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will speak at a press conference after an extraordinary meeting of the EU Summit at the Council of Europe building in Brussels, Belgium on February 10, 2023.
Giorgia Meloni firmly rule out Italians’ involvement in sending troops to Ukraine, and distance themselves from the so-called coalition that burns an ambitious and public rift with France’s Emmanuel Macron.
Speaking from Tirana, where the European Political Community Summit was held, the Italian Prime Minister made her position clear. “Italia is not willing to send troops to Ukraine. It makes no sense to participate in a format that has goals that we do not agree with.”
Her comments came after high-profile meetings with Macron, Kielstarmer, Friedrich Merz, Donald Tass and Volodymea Zelensky. Meloni took part in an earlier call on May 10th, but despite attending the summit, he did not attend the leader’s meeting with Albania’s Zelensky.
The absence was quickly seized by the Italian opposition. Meloni fights back in order: “I want the same clarity I offer to those who complain about the opposition and others. Are you expected to join these formats because you’re going to send your troops to Ukraine or pos for a photo and say no? I’m a serious person.”
Macron, meanwhile, dismissed the claim that the deployment of the military was debated during Tirana or a recent visit to Kiev. “The debate is about ceasefires. Let’s avoid spreading false information. It’s already sufficient to come from Russia.” He said.
Nevertheless, the episode highlights the growing tensions between the Northern European blocs supporting Rome and Ukraine. Macron, Priority, Mertz, Task and Zelensky’s group photos (all of whom spoke to Donald Trump) went viral, further highlighting Italy’s marginal position.
The four leaders later reaffirmed their commitment to unity towards Ukraine and condemned the Kremlin’s rejection of a ceasefire. Macron has proposed future talks between Trump and perhaps Putin, while Ursula von der Leyen has announced upcoming sanctions, including restrictions on Nodal Stream, oil pricing and Russian banks.
People’s heroes
Meloni praised the heroes of the Ukrainian people and called for new efforts to assure Kiev’s peace and security guarantees, but her distance from a core group of European leaders has attracted criticism at home.
Giuseppe Conte accused her of being an Italian bystander: “At the summit, she is a ghost. She is benching the country.” Matteo Renzi supported: “She’s an influential influencer.” Angelo Bonnelli said, “She remains removed from the important table.”
Meloni is expected to discuss the issue further at a bilateral meeting with Rome’s Friedrich Merz.
According to French sources, the conference is also addressing issues such as energy, migration and security, and the EPC’s permanent secretariat has been established.
Meloni maintained a close relationship with newly elected Albanian Prime Minister Eddie Rama. Eddie Lama has signed a controversial agreement to build two detention centres with the original purpose of outsourcing the final re-repeat of adult male migrants intercepted in the Central Mediterranean.
Her government attempted three times, leaving the matter to remain pending the decision of the European Union Justice Court (CJEU) after Italian judiciary refused to detain Albanian immigrants and ordered them to be transferred directly to Italy.
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