Italian PM calls for single EU envoy to lead Ukraine peace talks with Russia

European allies of Ukraine should designate a single representative to engage in negotiations with Russia aimed at ending the war, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told lawmakers on June 11, arguing that smaller groupings of countries cannot speak for the entire bloc.

On June 7, leaders from Britain, France, and Germany — part of an informal security arrangement known as the E3 — met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and expressed support for Kyiv’s proposal to open talks with Russia in pursuit of a ceasefire, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

Meloni, who is a strong backer of Ukraine, said Europe must be willing to “interact” with Moscow to bring the conflict to an end, but insisted that no limited group has the “legitimacy to speak” on behalf of all EU members.

“I have long supported the need to identify an authoritative figure, entrusted with the confidence ​and mandate of all (European Union) member states to represent Europe,” she told parliament ahead of an upcoming EU summit and a Group of Seven (G7) leaders’ meeting next week.

She also stressed that progress toward peace in Ukraine requires closer coordination between Europe and the United States, describing it as “a not always easy but necessary challenge.”

Her comments were in line with remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who this week criticized Poland’s absence from discussions with Zelenskiy in London and said another Ukraine-focused meeting involving both Warsaw and Rome would take place soon.

In her address, Meloni also touched on the conflict between the United States and Iran, noting that tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have driven up energy prices and put pressure on the global economy.

She made it clear that Europe should be prepared to ease sanctions on Iran if Tehran demonstrates a willingness to negotiate.

“If, ​instead, Tehran continues down the wrong path, threatening freedom ​of navigation, carrying out attacks, supporting militias and violating international obligations, then the European Union must be ​ready to increase pressure, including through new targeted measures,” she added.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov