LONDON
Europe should reopen dialogue with Russia, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Friday, while stressing that it is “absolutely premature” to discuss welcoming Moscow back into the Group of Seven (G7) leading nations.
Speaking at her traditional New Year’s press conference, Meloni said she agreed with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has recently called for Europe to engage with Moscow as efforts continue to end the war in Ukraine.
“I think Macron is right on this. I believe the time has come for Europe to also speak with Russia,” she said.
Meloni warned that Europe’s influence would be limited if it engaged in negotiations by talking only to Kyiv.
“Because if Europe decides to take part in this phase of negotiations by talking only to one of the two sides, I fear that in the end the positive contribution it can make will be limited,” she added.
She argued that the EU should appoint a single envoy to deal directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin to avoid mixed messages.
“If we were to make the mistake of deciding, on the one hand, to reopen dialogue with Russia, and on the other, to proceed in a disorganized way, we would be doing Putin a favor,” she said. “We have had this problem from the start. Too many voices speaking, too many formats.”
Italy has no intention of sending troops to Ukraine
Meloni ruled out any discussion about Russia returning to the G7, from which it was expelled in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea. She said it was “absolutely premature” to talk about such a move.
She also reiterated that Italy had no intention of sending troops to Ukraine to help guarantee a future peace deal.
“There is no option on the ground today with a United Nations umbrella, and what is being discussed is a multinational force within the coalition of the willing to strengthen Ukraine’s defense,” she said.
Meloni argued that the main security guarantee for Ukraine would be NATO. “The reason I don't believe sending troops is necessary is because the main instrument for peacekeeping is NATO's Article 5, which is the main form of guarantee for Ukraine,” she said.
Her comments came after France and Britain last month signed a declaration of intent on the possible future deployment of multinational forces in Ukraine once a ceasefire is reached.
'I don't believe US initiating military action in Greenland'
Turning to Greenland, Meloni dismissed the idea of US military action there. “I don't believe in the possibility of the US initiating military action in Greenland, which I wouldn't support,” she said, adding that such a move “wouldn't benefit anyone”.
She said Italy’s Foreign Ministry would present an Arctic strategy by the end of the month.
Meloni also addressed Italy’s relationship with the US, noting differences with President Donald Trump. “I disagree with the US president on many things,” she said, adding that when that happens, “I tell him.”
Responding to suggestions that Italy should distance itself from Washington, she said: “What are they asking Italy to do? To distance itself from the US? Should we close American bases?