Minister Antonio Tajani, Prime Minister Netanyahu intends to invade Gaza. Do you condemn this?
“Absolutely. This carnage cannot continue. The invasion of Gaza risks turning into a Vietnam for the Israeli soldiers. If the senior military leadership has its doubts, there must be a reason. This is not the way forward”.
What is, then?
“Diplomacy and negotiations. Hamas must be excluded from any solution; the Palestinian Authority is the only possible interlocutor. We now need a United Nations mission under Arab leadership to reunify the Palestinian State. Italy stands ready to participate”.
Is diplomacy enough? Netanyahu seems determined to press ahead.
“It helps to increase pressure. We support strengthening EU sanctions against violent Israeli settlers. I would remind you that since 7 October two years ago, Italy has not sold arms to Israel”.
With Gaza invaded, are we entering a new scenario?
“A worrying one. Any attempt to annex part of the Gaza Strip or the West Bank undermines the very foundations of creating a Palestinian State. And it strengthens Hamas’s terrorist cause. To attack even Palestinian Christian villages – historically a stabilising element in the region – is unforgivable”.
Will you suspend EU cooperation agreements with Israel?
“Up to now, that has not proved effective. We shall see how the situation develops”.
In September, France and the United Kingdom will recognise the State of Palestine. What about Italy?
“It would be a symbolic gesture – we act through deeds. The Palestinian State does not yet exist; it must be built. Certainly, Hamas does not want it, as it refuses to lay down arms or release the hostages. We are firmly opposed to the exodus of Palestinians from their land; we want a free State to be born and we are working towards that”.
Minister, the situation in Gaza is catastrophic.
“We have been engaged from the very outset. Yesterday, the Air Force carried out the first Italian airdrop of aid into the Strip using Defence Ministry assets, following earlier drops in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates. Netanyahu must allow UN aid to enter. Italy, through the Food for Gaza operation, has facilitated the entry of World Food Programme convoys. From the port of Ashdod, foodstuffs for the civilian population and fodder for livestock have been brought in. The risk of large-scale famine is real”.
What more can be done?
“To treat here in Italy those who are ill or wounded. This week, a further fifty Palestinians, including around twenty children, will arrive to be admitted to our best hospitals. Italy ranks first, alongside Egypt and Qatar, in hosting refugees from Gaza. This is not simply a humanitarian operation: to evacuate even a single person requires the authorisation of the army, Mossad, Shin Bet, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, and Jordan”.
At this point, is it inappropriate to speak of genocide?
“A carnage is taking place, without doubt. But we prefer to focus on substance. Slogans achieve little”.
Peace in Gaza seems distant. And in Ukraine?
“Progress is being made. I hope for an agreement by the end of the year, but it will not be easy”.
What do you expect from the Putin–Trump meeting in Alaska?
“That President Putin will listen to the American President and accept a just peace – meaning a peace also accepted by the Ukrainians, not one signed over their heads. It is essential that Europe is at the table: it has imposed tough sanctions on Russia and our security is at stake”.
According to reports, Putin will demand eastern Ukraine in exchange for a ceasefire.
“We shall see where the negotiations lead. Some Russian demands appear unacceptable – such as the imposition of the Russian language in the occupied territories or unacceptable territorial claims. I am thinking of the Zaporizhzhia region, whose nuclear power plant – of strategic importance – must remain under Ukrainian control, within a demilitarised area, and under a non-aggression pact”.
On the subject of pacts: how can we ensure that Putin does not invade again in future?
“We need a written agreement – a treaty guaranteeing security conditions for Ukraine, the rejection of the nuclear threat, and Russia’s commitment not to claim further territories beyond those included in the negotiations. Obviously, this includes Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty”.
Russia has already signed similar commitments – and violated them.
“True, we cannot rely on promises. That is why deterrence is essential. Let us remember that Ukraine today has one of the strongest armies in the world. Any Russian request for the demilitarisation of the Ukrainian State must be considered unacceptable”.
Do you rule out a peace mission in Ukraine as proposed by the “Willing”?
“Italy has been, and remains, opposed to sending European troops to Ukraine. We are, however, in favour of a UN-mandated interposition force resulting from a decision of the Security Council, in which Russia and China sit. I do not believe there is currently consensus for such a formula, but this would be the most realistic mission”.
Trump had planned to hold the summit in Rome, but it was cancelled. Moscow blames Italian “Russophobia”.
“We are not Russophobic, nor are we at war with Russia. We have always said that Italian weapons could not be used on Russian territory. But we are proud of the solidarity we have shown to Ukraine from the very first day of the war”.
If President Putin were to come to Rome, would he be arrested as requested by the International Criminal Court?
“We have already made clear that we do not consider it easy or feasible to execute an arrest warrant against a foreign Head of State. That said, in the context of a peace summit of such importance, everything should be set aside”.
Is Rome a candidate to host a second round of negotiations?
“Certainly, we are available – as we were for the talks between Iran and the United States on the nuclear issue. The Vatican could also serve as an appropriate venue”.
Will Italy continue to send military aid to Kyiv?
“Yes. As long as the war continues, we must support Ukraine. Negotiations must begin with a balance on the ground; otherwise, Russia could exploit this phase to wrest further concessions”.
Does President Zelensky’s veto on ceding territory risk derailing the talks?
“We are still at the beginning. No one starts a negotiation by accepting the rival’s conditions. President Zelensky’s position is a political one; a compromise will be reached. For now, the priority is to bring all actors to the table. Europe and Italy must be in the front line. The stakes are far too high to remain on the sidelines”.
