ROME – Antonio Tajani views the 15 August face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin as “a first step”. But the Foreign Minister is equally convinced that no agreement can be reached without bringing President Zelensky to the negotiating table. From the Farnesina, Tajani sets out to Corriere della Sera the “three theatres of war Italy is tackling with the weapons of diplomacy”: Kyiv, Gaza and tariffs. The Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Forza Italia, who will be in Bern on 19 August to address Swiss ambassadors from around the world, dismisses suggestions that the government is divided on foreign policy, plays down Minister Crosetto’s remarks against Netanyahu, and assures that the Meloni government is doing “everything possible” to persuade Israel to halt the slaughter of innocents.
Despite pressure from France, the United Kingdom and Germany, Trump has excluded Zelensky from the Alaska summit. Will the meeting risk being pointless?
“With a joint declaration signed by Italy, the EU Heads of State and Government agreed that peace cannot be decided without Ukraine. We support Trump’s initiative – it is a step forward, a first positive move towards peace. A Trump–Putin meeting is welcome if it helps thaw relations. But Kyiv must also be at the table for any agreement. Peace cannot be made without the directly concerned parties – the Russians and the Ukrainians”.
European leaders have also been excluded from the mid-August summit. Is Trump cutting the EU out?
“The EU is – and must be – a key player in the negotiations, not least because it has imposed sanctions on Russia. The war in Ukraine is a matter that concerns our own security”.
What is the government’s red line in today’s pre-summit video meeting with Trump, Zelensky and NATO leaders?
“The immediate objectives are a ceasefire and support for the Ukrainian civilian population, which is under heavy attack by the Russian army. The EU must take part in the negotiations, and peace must not amount to Ukraine’s surrender – these are the essential parameters. We uphold respect for international law and will continue to defend Ukraine’s cause”.
How much do you mind Matteo Salvini’s counterpoint on foreign policy?
“Foreign policy is conducted by Prime Minister Meloni and myself. The government’s line is very clear”.
But it often differs from that of the League’s Deputy Prime Minister. Salvini said that von der Leyen at the summit “at most can bring the drinks”. And when asked whether it was time to stop Netanyahu, the Transport Minister sidestepped, replying that “terrorists must be stopped”. Do you and Meloni see eye to eye?
“Salvini’s language is not mine”.
Today you will welcome at the airport 31 children from Gaza in need of medical treatment, accompanied by 91 family members – a commendable initiative. But what is the government doing in practice to prevent Israel – which has already caused 60,000 deaths – from continuing to massacre civilians queuing for a handful of flour?
“We are doing what the rest of the world is doing: asking Netanyahu to stop and Hamas to release the hostages. We are doing everything possible to get Israel to halt its offensive in Gaza. We have sanctioned West Bank settlers, condemned the killing of Al Jazeera journalists, and only hours ago signed – with 28 other countries – an appeal to the Israeli authorities to ensure humanitarian workers and NGOs can continue safely their food distribution efforts”.
The government has said no to a total occupation of Gaza, but the opposition claims this stance came too late. Are Schlein and Conte wrong to accuse you of “complicit silences”?
“Our position is crystal clear: what is happening in Gaza is unacceptable. The opposition talks – we act. Together with Turkey, the UAE and Qatar, we are the country that has taken in the largest number of patients from Gaza to provide them with treatment – a complex political operation. In recent hours we have sent a further 350 tonnes of flour, and another 100 will be sent in the coming days with the UN”.
Yet Italy remains opposed to suspending the EU–Israel Association Agreement, to imposing new sanctions, and to recognising Palestine.
“What has Spain – and the other countries that recognised Palestine – achieved? Former US Secretary of State Blinken said it achieved nothing. We are in favour, but we cannot recognise a State that does not exist. First, it must be created, because today Palestine does not exist, and Hamas cannot be the guiding authority – that must be the Palestinian National Authority. We have always said that to unite two different realities with opposing visions requires a United Nations mission”.
Do you mean the “multilateral mission” proposed by President Macron?
“I am pleased that France is aligning itself with what has always been Italy’s position”.
Minister Crosetto has accused Netanyahu of having “lost reason and humanity” and has harshly condemned Israel. Will the Defence Minister’s voice remain isolated in the government?
“The government’s line is one of clear condemnation. And there is only one line – no more than one”.
Meanwhile, Trump is shaking the certainties of past decades, both geopolitical and economic. Has Meloni’s “bridge” between Washington and Brussels also collapsed?
“It is an established fact that Italy has facilitated dialogue between the US and the EU. We shall see the results on tariffs. I am not so pessimistic”.
Can one be optimistic with 15% customs duties?
“Tariffs are not a good thing, but it remains to be seen what the effects will be. If tariffs on other countries are higher, Italian products will become more competitive in the US market. Thanks to a range of goods second only to China, we can occupy new spaces and rise to the challenge. Export data are very encouraging – the first half of 2025 shows a 2.1% increase compared with 2024”.
Are you not concerned about the dollar–euro exchange rate?
“We shall have to keep an eye on it. If the euro becomes too strong, the ECB will have to intervene to prevent damage greater than that caused by tariffs”.
