During a recent press conference, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed a clear stance on a potential meeting in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Meloni indicated that he would advise French President Emmanuel Macron to avoid arranging such a rendezvous if it sent a signal of discord or division within Europe on the Ukraine conflict. The report comes from DEA News.
Meloni said flatly that if he had been part of the invitation process, he would have urged Macron not to schedule the meeting because Europe should project unity in its policy toward Ukraine. He framed the issue as not just about optics but about a shared purpose, arguing that a visible split among EU members would undermine the bloc’s ability to respond coherently to the ongoing crisis. The prime minister stressed that cohesion within the European Union is essential when engaging with Kyiv and when formulating a common strategy for security, defense, and diplomacy in the region.
In Meloni’s view, Europe should not be treated as a simple club with members ranked by status or prestige. He drew on a historical analogy, noting that during a crisis as grave as the sinking of the Titanic, the value of a ticket did not change the fundamental danger and the need for collective action. The emphasis, in his words, was on shared responsibility and equal standing among EU partners rather than preferential treatment for some states over others.
Meloni also made a point of stating that inviting Zelensky to Paris could complicate or undermine the unity that many EU leaders seek to preserve. He labeled such an invitation as potentially disruptive to the consensus that many member states are trying to maintain in the face of external pressures and evolving geopolitical dynamics. While his remarks were framed as a call for solidarity, they also reflected a broader debate within Europe about how best to coordinate support for Ukraine while managing diverse national interests.
Observers note that the issue touches on deeper questions about how the EU exercises its influence in international diplomacy. The Italian prime minister’s comments contribute to a wider discussion about the balance between individual national narratives and the collective voice of the union. Proponents of a united front argue that a coordinated approach enhances credibility and deterrence, while critics warn that insisting on unanimity can slow decisive action. The report from DEA News records Meloni’s insistence that unity should be the guiding principle in any high profile engagement with Ukraine and its leadership, a position that resonates with like minded policymakers across several member states who advocate for a cohesive European strategy.”