The Italian Prime Minister has advanced a bold proposal to extend NATO-style security guarantees to Ukraine, which is gaining “growing consensus”. Speaking in the Senate ahead of a key European Council meeting, she stressed the need for strong transatlantic ties and called on Russia to take decisive action for peace
Growing support. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stressed that her government’s proposal for NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine is gaining “growing consensus” among allies and partners.
- The plan envisions activating security commitments on the model of Article 5 for nations that opt in without requiring Ukraine’s formal NATO membership.
- On Saturday, she attended a video conference meeting organised by the British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, on the commitment to a just and lasting peace that can ensure Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security ahead of the Russian invasion.
Defining the proposal. Speaking in the Senate ahead of the upcoming European Council and just hours before an anticipated call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Meloni outlined the initiative.
- She explained that the proposal would establish mutual security guarantees between Ukraine and those nations that subscribe, effectively echoing the NATO Article 5 mechanism.
- Meloni emphasised that deploying Italian troops in Ukraine “has never been” on the agenda.
- Moreover, she described proposals for sending European troops—initially put forward by the UK and France—as “risky and ineffective.”
Transatlantic bridge. In her remarks, Meloni also underlined the importance of maintaining strong transatlantic ties.
- Anyone who seeks to separate the two sides of the Atlantic “only weakens the entire West, for the benefit of other actors,” she declared.
- Reinforcing Italy’s role as a bridge between Europe and the US, she stated, “We believe that Italy must invest its energies in building bridges, not digging trenches.”
- Stressing her support for President Trump’s recent initiatives and the ceasefire agreed upon last week at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between the United States and Ukraine, Meloni warned that Russia must take the next step.
- She asserted, “concrete and swift steps in the same direction are needed” from President Putin.
