Italy and UK Can Bridge Transatlantic Rift Following Trump-Zelensky Tensions: Meloni
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has emphasized the role of Italy and the United Kingdom in strengthening transatlantic ties, stating that both nations can serve as a bridge between Europe and the United States amid concerns over Western unity, media reports.
Speaking in London ahead of a European defence summit convened by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Meloni underscored the importance of avoiding divisions within the Western alliance, particularly following the contentious meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I think it is very, very important that we avoid the risk of the West splitting. And I think that in this, the UK and Italy can play an important role,” Meloni said.
She also called for a high-level meeting between U.S. and European leaders, arguing that greater coordination is essential in security, defence, energy policy, and the fight against irregular immigration and human trafficking.
While Meloni is attending the London summit on European defence and Ukraine, she remains among a small group of European leaders—alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico—who have yet to openly express support for Zelensky following Trump’s public rebuke. Orbán and Fico have gone further by aligning with Russia’s stance on the war.
In a further display of her close ties with Trump, Meloni held a telephone conversation with the former U.S. president on Saturday evening, reinforcing her commitment to transatlantic relations.
Starmer, who earlier announced a UK-France-Ukraine peace initiative, reaffirmed the strong partnership between Britain and Italy, stating: “We have a very similar approach on the important issues facing the world right now.”
Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister and EU rotating president Donald Tusk welcomed Meloni’s initiative, saying:
“A summit between the EU and the U.S. today seems very necessary indeed, and it is good that it was proposed by Meloni to President Trump, because of their very good relations. Maybe it will have a positive effect.”
The London summit is expected to shape Europe’s approach to the ongoing war in Ukraine while addressing broader geopolitical concerns.
