Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for the European Union to appoint a single representative to lead talks with Russia over ending the war in Ukraine, arguing that smaller groups of countries cannot speak for the entire bloc.
Speaking to lawmakers on Thursday ahead of upcoming EU and G7 meetings, Meloni said Europe needed to engage with Moscow to help end the conflict but questioned the legitimacy of limited formats involving only a few nations.
“I have long supported the need to identify an authoritative figure, entrusted with the confidence and mandate of all EU member states to represent Europe,” Meloni said.
Her comments came after leaders from Britain, France and Germany — known as the E3 group — met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and expressed support for Kyiv’s proposal for talks with Russia aimed at securing a ceasefire.
Meloni, who has strongly supported Ukraine, said peace efforts would also require closer coordination between Europe and the United States, describing this as a difficult but necessary challenge.
Her remarks followed similar concerns raised by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who criticized Poland’s absence from recent discussions with Zelenskiy in London and said another meeting involving Warsaw and Rome would take place.
Meloni also addressed tensions involving the United States and Iran, warning that instability around the Strait of Hormuz was affecting energy prices and the global economy.
She said the EU should be prepared to ease sanctions on Iran if Tehran showed a willingness to negotiate. However, she added that the bloc should be ready to impose further targeted measures if Iran continued actions such as threatening freedom of navigation, carrying out attacks, supporting militias and violating international obligations.
