Italian PM refuses to send Italian troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has told European and US partners that Italy will not deploy its troops to Ukraine as part of future security guarantees.

Source: a statement posted by the Italian Government following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris

Details: Meloni took part in the Paris meeting focused on negotiating initiatives to finalise security guarantees for Ukraine.

The government said these guarantees are "inspired by Article 5 of the Atlantic Alliance, as long suggested by Italy". They are expected to form part of a broader package of agreements to be adopted in close coordination with the US, including "including through an effective and well-structured mechanism to monitor the hoped-for ceasefire and a strengthening of Ukrainian military forces".

Quote: "Confirming Italy's support for Ukraine's security, in line with what has consistently been done, President Meloni reiterated a number of fixed points of the Italian Government's position on the issue of guarantees, in particular the exclusion of Italian troops being deployed on the ground."

Details: The statement also noted that participation by coalition countries in multinational forces would be voluntary and that any decisions on supporting Ukraine in the event of a new attack must be taken in accordance with national constitutional procedures.

Background:

• On Tuesday 6 January, the French capital hosted a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing involving 27 countries.
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a declaration of intent, alongside Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace agreement is concluded. In addition, members of the coalition, Ukraine and the US signed a joint declaration on security guarantees aimed at achieving a stable and lasting peace in Ukraine.
• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that each task linked to the process of providing assistance to Ukraine has a leading state, with Poland set to be the lead country on logistics.
• Adviser to President Donald Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said that the American delegation will continue talks with the Ukrainian delegation on 7 January, following the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris.

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