Lucrezia Ciotti Italy's absence at the top of the so-called "willing”, held on the sidelines of the meeting of the European Political Community in Tirana, has raised questions and controversies. Despite the presence of the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni In Albania, the Italian government has decided not to participate in this restricted format between European and Western leaders, including Macron, Merz, Starmer, Tusk, Zelensky and, remotely, Donald Trump.
A choice that the Prime Minister promptly commented on.
Italy absent from the summit of the willing: the controversies
The Italian opposition has harshly criticised the failure Participation of the Meloni government. Matteo Renzi spoke of a choice that would represent a political isolation for Italy, defining it as a serious step backwards for the country's prestige. The MEP also Sandro Gozi he expressed perplexity, joking about the absence of the Prime Minister during a summit that brought together the main European and Western leaders: “Who saw her? The leaders gather and Meloni disappears.”
Meanwhile, the summit also discussed Moscow's response to the proposal for a 30-day truce put forward by the Western coalition and the United States. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the conditions set by Europe, adopting a tone that would suggest a glimmer of dialogue. The plan includes, in the event of a Russian refusal, the tightening of sanctions and the use of frozen assets belonging to Moscow.
Italy absent from the summit of the willing: Giorgia Meloni explains the reason
"Regarding the lack of Italian presence in the meetings between Great Britain, France, Poland, Germany and Ukraine, I must reiterate something that I have already explained several times: Italy has long declared that it is not available to send troops to UkraineIt wouldn't make sense for us to participate in formats that have objectives for which we have not declared our availability.“, he stated at a press briefing.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni explained that her choice was dictated by a a question of clarity, also inviting the opposition to show the same coherence. He stressed that Italy cannot be asked to participate in certain formats just to take a photo and then say no to sending troops in Ukraine, because you have to be serious, and she considers herself a serious person.
"After that, Italy which supported Ukraine and continues to do so, continue to participate in all other tables, at all other levels, in all other formats and initiatives. We have not given our availability on this specific initiative, I hope I have been very clear once again“, He concluded.