Meloni and Macron pledge 'unwavering' support for Ukraine
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Rome with a firm handshake on Tuesday, a meeting that many interpreted as a sign of diplomatic rapprochement.
Following a three-hour discussion, the two leaders issued a joint statement pledged their "unwavering" support for Ukraine, calling it necessary for achieving a "just and lasting solution" to the conflict.
Ahead of the meeting, the Élysée Palace had said that there were points between Macron and Meloni that needed to be clarified, particularly regarding support for Ukraine.
The statement also underscored the need for an "ambitious change in scale" in European defence, while adding that the two leaders also discussed topics including the situation in the Middle East and European cooperation on migration policy.
The meeting at Chigi Palace, the seat of Italian government, was considered a diplomatic reset between Paris and Rome, even though both sides stressed that there had never been a cold spell.
The leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party said last week that they have many commonalities but also differences. She said it is important to talk, even in the face of disagreements.
Italy is an important partner, the Élysée Palace said, adding that Meloni would not be ostracized in any way.
The relationship between the two has recently seemed tense. In Rome, Macron's trip to Kiev with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer caused irritation as Meloni was not included.
Even in the "coalition of the willing" initiated by Macron to support Ukraine after a ceasefire, the positions diverge: Italy strictly opposes sending troops.
The strategies of the two leaders also differ in their stance towards US President Donald Trump: Rome focuses on closeness and mediation, while Paris emphasizes European independence.
The next bilateral meeting between Italy and France is scheduled to take place in France in early 2026.
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