Rome rejects troop commitment in post-war security framework for Ukraine

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on January 6 that she informed European partners supporting Ukraine, as well as US representatives, that Italy will not deploy its troops on the ground as part of any security guarantee arrangements.

Meloni, a far-right leader who has remained firmly aligned with Kyiv, has repeatedly made clear that Rome will not commit forces to enforce a potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.

According to a statement issued by her office, “In confirming Italy’s support for Ukraine’s security, in line with what has always been done, President Meloni reiterated some key points of the Italian government’s position on the issue of guarantees, in particular the exclusion of the use of Italian troops on the ground.”

Her latest reaffirmation came during a meeting in Paris of the “Coalition of the Willing,” which is working on defining the security guarantees Kyiv has requested to prevent renewed Russian aggression should a ceasefire take hold.

Meloni described the Paris discussions as “constructive and concrete,” emphasising that the guarantees under consideration would form part of a “broader package of agreements.”

The statement added that these arrangements would be coordinated with the United States “to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, including through an effective and comprehensive mechanism for monitoring the desired ceasefire and strengthening Ukraine’s military forces.”

On January 6, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a declaration of intent outlining plans for the future deployment of multinational forces in Ukraine once the war concludes.

By Tamilla Hasanova