Salvini, who leads Italy\u2019s right-wing League party and serves as transport minister in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni\u2019s government, has long been a critic of Macron, especially regarding Ukraine. His remarks prompted France to call in Italy\u2019s envoy on Aug. 22, in what has become the latest in a string of diplomatic disputes between Paris and Rome since Meloni took office in 2022.<\/p>\n
According to the French diplomatic source<\/a>, “(T)he ambassador was reminded that these remarks ran counter to the climate of trust and the historical relationship between our two countries, as well as to recent bilateral developments, which have highlighted strong convergences between the two countries, particularly with regard to unwavering support for Ukraine.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Security guarantees for Ukraine explained: What\u2019s on the table and what\u2019s realistic?<\/p>\n As peace talks to end the war in Ukraine gather speed toward a potential trilateral meeting between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, the question of what kind of security guarantees Kyiv might receive continues to loom over the flurry of diplomatic meetings. After President Volodymyr Zelensky\u2019s Aug. 18 appearance at the White House, European leaders are now expected to draft a skeleton proposal for security guarantees over the next week, according to Kyiv Independent sources. The proposal will ex<\/p>\n Macron has been among Europe\u2019s strongest advocates of backing Kyiv in its fight against Russia, working closely with leaders including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to secure international support for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.<\/p>\n The debate over Europe\u2019s role in postwar Ukraine has intensified in recent weeks. According to Bloomberg, Meloni has advanced a proposal<\/a> for security guarantees that would require Ukraine\u2019s allies to decide within 24 hours of a renewed Russian attack whether to commit support, ranging from military aid to sanctions. <\/p>\n The plan, first floated in March 2025, mirrors NATO\u2019s Article 5<\/a> collective defense principle but does not include NATO membership for Ukraine.<\/p>\n Meloni was also among the European leaders who joined Zelensky at the White House on Aug. 18 to discuss such guarantees with U.S. President Donald Trump. Overall, about 10 European countries<\/a> are considering sending troops as part of a postwar peacekeeping force to deter further Russian aggression, sources told Bloomberg. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n