Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani stated that the European Union must work together with the United States to ensure the security of the entire European continent. He emphasized the importance of a united Europe, but also stressed that a close cooperation between the EU and the US is necessary for the future security of Ukraine and all of Europe.
According to Tajani, Europe should fulfill its NATO commitments, particularly Italy, by increasing its defense spending to 2% of its GDP. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also emphasized the need for the EU to work with the US and President Donald Trump to find a solution for the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, warning against the G7 summit turning into an “anti-Trump format.”
Meloni expressed doubts about the idea of deploying European troops in Ukraine, describing it as “extremely difficult and not very effective.” She stated that Europe is dependent on the US in security matters and that the Ukraine needs security guarantees to prevent a resumption of fighting.
Tajani also commented on the recent statements made by Trump about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describing them as “harsh” and showing that there are tensions in the relations. He emphasized that the verbal exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy takes place and that Europe should not get involved in this dispute.
The Italian Foreign Minister also discussed the role of Europe in possible negotiations, stating that the EU must participate in the talks, citing the sanctions imposed on Russia and the need for those who implemented and enforced them to be present. The US State Department confirmed the meeting and its content, but did not provide a commitment for European participation in the talks, previously stating that the European states are not considered as negotiating partners.