Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has urged the European Union (EU) to reopen channels of dialogue with Russia, insisting that any talks to bring Moscow back into the G7 are premature and unrealistic at this time.
Speaking at a New Year's press conference in Rome, Meloni said Europe needed to play a more active and balanced role in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. She echoed French President Emmanuel Macron's earlier call for Europe to dare to engage directly with Moscow.
According to Meloni, if Europe only communicated with one side in the conflict, the continent's contribution to the peace process would be limited.
"To be an effective mediator, we need to talk to both sides," she said, warning that a one-sided approach could weaken Europe's influence.
However, Meloni stressed the need for a structured and united approach. She suggested that the EU appoint a special envoy to negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Without clear coordination, he said, Europe risks being seen as chaotic, a situation that will only benefit Moscow.
In a related development, there was a proposal from the United States last November to bring Russia back into the group of rich countries, thus reviving the G8. However, Meloni rejected the idea because for him it was a very inappropriate time, given that the conflict was still ongoing and there was no response from the Russian side.
He also reiterated Italy's position that it refused to send its troops to Ukraine as part of a post-war security guarantee, although France and Britain had signed a preliminary agreement for the possible deployment of a multinational force after a ceasefire was reached.
While peace talks appear to be accelerating, Russia has so far not shown a willingness to compromise or accept security proposals supported by Ukraine's allies. In this increasingly complex geopolitical environment, Meloni's call reflects Europe's dilemma, between the need for dialogue for peace and the refusal to give legitimacy to Moscow too early.
