The Minister of Foreign Affairs: ‘Today, a new five-way European summit’
Zelensky is reportedly ready to meet Putin on Thursday in Turkey. Does the Tsar truly want peace, Minister Antonio Tajani?
“That both Putin and Zelensky are prepared to meet is a decisive step forward, and we must encourage it in every possible way. But negotiations must happen within the context of a ceasefire – not one that lasts merely three days. We need a real truce. If confirmed, this would be the first step towards negotiations and towards the goal we’ve been pursuing for months: a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and for Europe. I would also add that, in these past hours, I see signs of a preliminary agreement between the US and China regarding tariffs. Trump appears to be adopting a negotiating stance that seems to be yielding its first results”.
Do you not think the Prime Minister should have been in Kyiv in person?
“Giorgia Meloni joined via video conference, so she was indeed present. What matters is being present in substance. Italy – the government, and the Prime Minister personally – is involved in every aspect of the negotiation process”.
Doesn’t the opposition have a point when it accuses you of ‘damaging Italy’ and portrays the country as isolated and sidelined in Europe?
“No. We are organising the major international conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction, set to take place in Rome on 10–11 July. Tomorrow (today, editor’s note), I will be in Verona for the third and final preparatory stage of the event, with 450 representatives from SMEs and local authorities”.
The leaders of France, Germany, the UK, and Poland physically showed their support to Zelensky and held a video summit with Trump. Isn’t that substantive? And are those wrong who say symbolic photos don’t matter?
“The opposition accuses us of both talking too much to Trump and not talking enough. Italy is once again a leading player in foreign policy – our credibility in Europe and internationally is strong. Forza Italia’s result at the EPP Congress is emblematic of the government’s standing. And we also played a role in mediating the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan”.
Back to Kyiv – you often say that beyond Meloni’s special relationship with Trump, Italy must remain firmly anchored in the EU. Do you stand by that?
“Absolutely. Italy was present in Kyiv, and Italy is present in Europe”.
In June 2022, that historic train to Kyiv carried Draghi, Macron, and Scholz. On Saturday, in Meloni’s place, it was Starmer. Is it wise to let Poland take the lead in the EU’s front carriage?
“Poland is a great country – and so is Italy. Proof of that is the meeting tomorrow morning (today, editor’s note) in London with EU foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the UK. The Weimar Group will discuss crisis scenarios and assess efforts for a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv”.
It’s an important meeting, but not a summit of leaders…
“Whether it’s prime ministers or ministers doesn’t matter – what counts is that we are contributing. Italy’s support to Ukraine amounts to around €2.5 billion, excluding military aid and EU contributions”.
Are you counting on an alliance with German Chancellor Merz to counter President Macron’s initiative?
“Italy doesn’t play with ‘axes’; it is already an integral part of the EU’s leading group of countries. We are Europe’s second-largest manufacturer and the fifth-largest trading power in the world. Actions matter. Italy has the most stable government in Europe and will see out the full parliamentary term. We have excellent relations with the CDU-CSU and with Merz”.
Has the strategy of the ‘willing’ failed?
“We stand firmly with Ukraine, but we do not believe that sending NATO troops to the Russian border is the best way to ensure post-war security. We believe it is better to have a buffer zone with a UN presence”.
The government has been silent about the Israeli massacre in Gaza.
“Where is the silence? If I speak – as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs – then the government speaks. And didn’t the Prime Minister herself also speak on the matter? Didn’t she say we support the Arab nations’ proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction? That clearly signals our concern for the Palestinian civilian population. We are the only European government to have implemented a food and health aid programme – ‘Food for Gaza’. We want a ceasefire, we want the hostages released, and we stand by the unequivocal position of Pope Leo XIV”.
Your foreign policy seems divided. In Strasbourg, regarding the vote to condemn Israel, FdI and the League were on one side, and Forza Italia on the other. No embarrassment?
“We belong to three different political families and sometimes vote differently in Europe. We are not a single party. Forza Italia is strongly pro-European – we are proudly part of the EPP”. Marina Berlusconi criticised Trump’s decisions, and Minister Daniela Santanchè spoke of ‘an unwarranted intervention’. What is your view?
“Marina Berlusconi expressed concerns shared by entrepreneurs globally about the trade war and tariffs, which, if continued, could cause huge damage to the economy – including the American one. In essence, she said what Silvio Berlusconi used to tell me – that he was different from Donald Trump. Just as Daniela Santanchè is free to express her views, so is Marina. And I thank her for her kind words about me and Forza Italia. Idle talk and lies don’t go far”.
