NATO representatives are due to meet with officials from France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States in Brussels this week to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine in a “just and sustainable” way, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said. Italy is not among the countries invited, prompting criticism from opposition politicians.
Five Star Movement Senate leader Luca Pirondini called Italy the only European G7 country left out of the meeting and blamed Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government for what he described as the country’s diminishing international influence. He also criticized Italy’s support for rearmament and its lack of a role in discussions about Europe’s future.
Five Star Movement vice president Stefano Patuanelli said the invitation list contradicted Meloni’s recent claim that the E3 negotiating format had been superseded. He argued that Italy risked becoming a spectator while other countries discussed peace conditions, security guarantees and Europe’s future structure.
Democratic Party senator Alessandro Alfieri said the E3 format does not adequately reflect the range of European positions on Ukraine. He called for an expanded E5 format that would include Italy and Poland, and urged Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to ensure Italy is involved in European diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the conflict.
Sources: La Repubblica.