Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, against deploying peacekeepers, advocates for a “more durable” solution.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy has proposed providing Ukraine with security guarantees equivalent to NATO’s, without the nation actually becoming a member of the alliance led by the United States. On Thursday, she dismissed the possibility of deploying European peacekeeping forces, advocating instead for a “more durable” solution.
Meloni’s comments come as Washington looks to quickly resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Last month, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth deemed Ukraine’s NATO aspirations “unrealistic,” and ruled out membership. He stressed that security guarantees should have the backing of both European and non-European countries.
Speaking to reporters at an EU summit in Brussels, Meloni stated that, “Extending the same coverage that NATO countries have to Ukraine would certainly be a much more effective solution than entering NATO.” She clarified that while not the same as full membership, this approach could still provide substantial security assurances.
Meloni appeared to be referencing extending the protections of NATO’s Article 5 to Ukraine, without the requirement of formal accession to the alliance. Article 5 states that an attack on any member is an attack on all.
Russia has consistently opposed NATO’s expansion eastward. Moscow has said that NATO’s expansion since the 1990s, including promises of future membership for Ukraine, contributed to the conflict’s escalation in 2022.
Concerns have also arisen among European members of NATO regarding Washington’s future commitment. US President Donald Trump has insisted that member states within the alliance increase their GDP spending on collective defense. Earlier this week, NBC reported that the current administration is weighing the possibility of adjusting the country’s involvement in NATO, potentially favoring members that fulfill defense spending goals.
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