Rome — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has drawn a firm line in the West’s approach to Ukraine, declaring that Italy will not deploy troops to Ukrainian soil even as her government joins discussions within a so-called “coalition of the willing.”
Instead, Meloni emphasized that Italy will push for a collective security framework grounded in NATO’s Article 5 commitments, positioning political guarantees as the cornerstone of any long-term protection for Kyiv. By invoking NATO’s mutual defense clause, Rome aims to elevate security assurances into a trans-Atlantic instrument rather than a fragmented patchwork of bilateral pledges.
While ruling out direct combat involvement, the Italian leader said her government remains prepared to support Ukraine conflict indirectly, including through international monitoring operations and training missions. Crucially, Meloni stressed that such activities would occur outside Ukrainian territory, a move intended to avoid escalation with Russia while maintaining Italy’s role as a visible supporter of Kyiv.
The announcement came after a conversation with US President Donald Trump, where both leaders endorsed a strategy centered on achieving what they described as a “fair and firm peace.” According to officials, the plan balances continued aid to Ukraine with calls for a ceasefire, sustained sanctions pressure on Russia, and credible security guarantees developed through NATO and broader trans-Atlantic cooperation.
Italy’s posture highlights a growing tension within Europe between symbolic shows of solidarity and the practical limits of military commitment. For Rome, the message is clear: security guarantees for Ukraine must be anchored in political and alliance-based mechanisms, not boots on the ground.
According to TASS, Meloni underscored that Rome’s objective is not to escalate the Ukraine war but to work with Washington and other allies to craft a durable settlement, even as Ukraine presses for stronger guarantees and Russia insists on broader recognition of its demands.
