Italian Prime Minister Meloni: It's time for Europe to talk to Russia
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that European leaders should set a common position in the Ukraine crisis and meet not only with Kiev but also with Moscow. Emphasizing that unilateral contacts will be insufficient for a solution, Meloni suggested that a special representative be appointed in order to make Europe the only voice.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in his statement at the traditional New Year's Eve press conference, stated that European countries should determine a common position and start negotiations with Russia.
According to the Il Secolo d'Italia newspaper, Meloni called for Europe to play a more active role in the diplomatic process.
“Europe should speak in one voice”
The head of government began his speech, stating that he always supported Europe's appointment of a special representative for the Ukrainian issue. Meloni explained the necessity of this appointment with the expressions "A person who will give us the opportunity to develop a common vision and speak in one voice".
The Italian leader emphasized that the representative to be appointed should negotiate not only with Ukraine, but also with Russia.
“It is not enough to meet only with Kiev”
Pointing out that Europe should redefine its place in the diplomatic equation, Meloni said, "I believe that the moment has come when Europe should talk to Russia. Because if Europe decides to participate in this stage of negotiations only by talking to one of the parties, its positive contribution will be limited," he said.
“The messy image serves Putin”
Prime Minister Meloni also warned that European countries should not act uncoordinated during the negotiation process. Meloni stated that an "incompatible" and scattered approach would mean "serving" Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Regarding Russia's status on international platforms, Meloni concluded his words by saying, "In my opinion, it is too early to talk about Russia's return to the G8 format."
Recently, the main negotiation efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine are being carried out centered on the United States. While the Washington administration is in consultation with Moscow, it continues its negotiations with Ukraine.
European leaders, on the other hand, are not conducting a formal peace negotiation with Moscow, although they are in contact with Kiev and meet frequently with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a statement last month that Europe has no possibility of forcing Russia into dialogue to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Macron defended the view that in order to return Moscow to the negotiating table, military support for Ukraine should be maintained and the pressure on the Russian economy should be increased.
Putin: Europe has excluded itself
The Russian side has repeatedly stated that it does not avoid negotiations. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a statement in December that Europeans remained silent and were excluded from negotiations on the grounds that they were excluded.
Putin said, "However, I would like to point out that no one excluded them, they excluded themselves. Because they adopted the thesis of strategic defeating Russia and it seems that they are still living in these illusions," he said. The Russian leader noted that Europe can only return to the Ukrainian settlement process if it takes into account the "facts on the field".