Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has firmly declined the Franco-British proposal to deploy Italian troops as part of a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine. There have been mixed responses from Italian politicians about EU leader von der Leyen’s rearmament plans in light of the Ukraine situation and the USA’s leadership’s stance.
Meloni expressed scepticism about the plan’s feasibility and effectiveness, stating, “Italy has expressed doubts regarding the proposal of France and the UK on sending European troops. I think it is very difficult to implement, I am not sure about its effectiveness, that’s why we announced that we will not send Italian soldiers to Ukraine.”
Meloni emphasised the shared objective of achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, noting, “After all, everyone has the same goal, to bring just peace to Ukraine, sustainable and lasting peace, I’d say final peace. Thus, the key issue here is how to build the peace that would include security guarantees for Ukraine.”
Her remarks followed a summit in London where several EU leaders discussed Ukraine and collective European security. Meloni reiterated her scepticism about deploying European troops to Ukraine and cautioned that divisions within the West would be “fatal for everyone.” However, France, the UK and USA all signed an agreement to support Ukraine after the fall of the Iron Curtain, when Ukraine ceded nuclear power.
Tajani pro rearmament stance
Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoed this stance, expressing concerns that sending NATO troops into Ukraine could escalate the conflict into a global war. He remarked, “I think that NATO shouldn’t enter Ukraine. It would be a mistake. We need to help Ukraine defend itself, but entering the country to wage war against Russia means risking World War Three.”
On the topic of European rearmament, Tajani welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s initiative to bolster Europe’s defence capabilities, clarifying this move is not intended as an alternative to NATO. He stated, “We have seen with favour the decision of Commission President von der Leyen towards European defence, which is not an alternative choice to NATO.”
Tajani stated the goal of strengthening the transatlantic alliance, highlighting the importance of both European and American pillars as guarantees of peace.
Opposition politicians not happy with VDL plan
However, not all Italian political figures support the rearmament plan. Giuseppe Conte, leader of the populist 5-Star Movement (M5S), criticised von der Leyen’s proposal, describing it as “warmongering fury.” He argued that Europe’s focus should be on diplomacy and peace-building rather than increasing military expenditure.
Conversely, Carlo Fidanza, head of the MEPs from Meloni’s Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, praised the rearmament plan for providing concrete tools to boost European defence investments. He particularly welcomed the proposal to exempt military expenditure from EU limits on government spending, a measure Italy has long advocated.
Elly Schlein, leader of the opposition centre-left Democratic Party (PD), also criticised von der Leyen’s plan, arguing that Europe needs a common defence strategy rather than national rearmament. She expressed concern that the plan focuses on rearmament without a clear direction towards a unified defence policy.
