He sighs, rolls his eyes skyward. He hesitates for a moment, then comes the blow: “I don’t trust Putin”. On the eve of the Istanbul summit that could shift the course of the war in Ukraine, Antonio Tajani takes a step back, dampening any premature optimism. Perhaps the ceasefire in Ukraine’s trenches is not as imminent as it seems. Perhaps more time is needed to compel Russia to sit at the negotiating table—despite the momentum injected by US President Donald Trump, who has reopened dialogue with Volodymyr Zelensky. “I don’t trust Putin,” confides the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister to Il Messaggero as he exits the Forza Italia headquarters in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, under a torrential downpour.
FROST OVER UKRAINE
It is the most sensitive issue on the government’s agenda. It was at the heart of a working lunch on Friday convened by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with her two deputies, Tajani and Matteo Salvini. “I met Deputy Prime Minister Kuleba in Verona; we discussed Ukraine’s reconstruction ahead of the conference to be held in Italy in July,” continues the Minister of Foreign Affairs as he leaves the Forza Italia base. “But it’s hard to trust any overtures from Putin at this stage”. These are hectic days—potentially decisive ones—for the future of the bloodiest land war in Europe since World War. At Palazzo Chigi, the government is grappling with its next moves.
Meloni has opted not to attend the summit of the “Willing” in Kyiv this Saturday in person, appearing only via video link. A choice she communicated over lunch to the centre-right leadership at the weekend, justified by her deep scepticism—if not outright irritation—towards President Macron’s hyperactivity and apparent pursuit of photo opportunities at any cost. Still, her absence has sparked noise and domestic controversy. “Why wasn’t Meloni in Kyiv? Ask her,” Tajani said sharply last night. The subtext is clear: he would have gone. The opposition is expected to press this point today during premier time in Parliament—a session carefully prepared by the Prime Minister’s team. Tajani remains sceptical about an imminent resolution to the Ukraine crisis. Putin cannot be trusted. And if Europe is divided on how to proceed, it is also—Tajani hints—because of Moscow’s fifth columns. “We will oppose any attempt to break up Europe, as Ms Le Pen is trying to do,” the Minister declares as he climbs into his official car. These are harsh words for “Madame Marine”, who was just hosted in Rome with full honours by Salvini, as the headline guest at the League’s political academy. Later in the evening, speaking from the De Gasperi Foundation, Tajani launches another broadside at the sovereigntists: “Anyone who seeks to dismantle and destroy Europe is making a disastrous choice”. And again: “I would never be part of an anti-EU government”. These are not mere distinctions among allies, but clear fault lines, liable to widen as the government faces major international crises. Meloni is aware of this. Which is why on Friday, she called for unity and discretion from her deputies on the Ukrainian front. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that Salvini—usually extremely vocal—has been uncharacteristically silent in front of the cameras in recent days.
The other unresolved issue is called Gaza. Meloni has yet to comment publicly on the occupation plan announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which has provoked outcry from the international community.
THE GAZA ISSUE
“Our position is clear: on Gaza, we stand with Pope Leo XIV, who has called for an immediate ceasefire, and with Egypt’s reconstruction plan,” says Tajani. Translation: Netanyahu’s invasion plan does not reflect Italy’s position. For months, contact between the Israeli leader and Meloni has been sporadic; their last phone call dates back to the days before Christmas. And relations have cooled further in recent weeks, especially after Tel Aviv halted humanitarian aid to Gaza, effectively blocking Italy’s “Food for Gaza” operation. “We are aligned with the World Food Programme,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs clarifies. “I’ve spoken with my Israeli counterpart, Sa’ar, and the Palestinian Prime Minister Mustafa, who refuses US aid. It’s a complex situation…”. The car speeds off.
