Italy refuses to contribute troops to pro-Ukraine ‘coalition of the willing’

(MENAFN) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has firmly stated that Italy will not contribute troops to the proposed "coalition of the willing" that the UK and France are forming to support Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement with Russia. In early March, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced their intention to lead a coalition of European countries willing to provide military support to Ukraine. This followed talks between Moscow and Washington aimed at resolving the conflict, in which the EU and UK were not included.

During a summit in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Meloni emphasized that Italy has no plans to participate in any potential ground force for Ukraine. She reiterated her belief in the importance of working with the United States to help stop the conflict and secure peace between Moscow and Kiev. Meloni also expressed hope for a future meeting of Ukraine’s European allies that would include an American delegation.

In an interview, Meloni dismissed suggestions of Italy being forced to choose between the US and the EU as "childish" and proposed extending NATO's mutual defense clause to Ukraine without making it a formal member, calling it a simpler and more effective solution. Meanwhile, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic also declared that Croatia would not participate in any peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, citing the lack of a peace agreement and Russia's consent.

Russia has opposed the idea of NATO-aligned European forces entering Ukraine, accusing the UK and France of escalating tensions and potentially provoking a direct military confrontation with Russia.

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