Italy rejects UK-France pro-Ukraine coalition, urges US-led peace efforts

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has firmly dismissed any possibility of Italy joining a proposed “coalition of the willing,” which would see European troops deployed to Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Russia.

The initiative, led by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to reinforce Ukraine’s military presence even after a ceasefire. However, Meloni has made it clear that Rome will not be part of such an arrangement, emphasizing the need for European nations to coordinate efforts with Washington to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Speaking after a summit of Ukraine’s backers in Paris on March 27, which was also attended by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Meloni reaffirmed her government’s stance.

According to an official statement from her office, “no national participation in a possible military force on the ground is planned” by Italy. Instead, she underscored the necessity of working with the United States to halt the war and reach a sustainable peace between Moscow and Kiev.

Meloni’s remarks further reinforced her preference for American involvement in shaping European security strategies. She “hoped for the involvement of an American delegation at the next coordination meeting” of Ukraine’s European allies, signaling her belief that the US remains the most effective broker for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

In an interview with the Financial Times on March 28, Meloni dismissed any notion of choosing between European and American leadership in dealing with the Ukraine crisis, calling such a binary choice “childish.” She also proposed an alternative to sending European troops, suggesting the extension of NATO’s mutual defense clause to Ukraine without granting the country full membership. This approach, she argued, would be “easier and more effective than the other ideas that are on the table.”

Meloni is not alone in her opposition to Starmer and Macron’s proposal. Croatian President Zoran Milanovic echoed similar concerns on March 27, stating that his country “will not be involved in Ukraine in any form.” Milanovic pointed out that the preconditions for a peacekeeping force simply do not exist, as “there is no peace agreement, nor the consent of the other side, which in this case is Russia.”

The hesitancy from Italy and Croatia highlights a broader divide within Europe regarding the best approach to dealing with the Ukraine war. While the UK and France appear determined to maintain a military presence in Ukraine regardless of ongoing negotiations, other European nations are wary of escalating tensions further, especially without a concrete peace agreement in place.

Russia has categorically opposed any deployment of NATO-aligned European troops to Ukraine, viewing it as a direct provocation.

Moscow has accused London and Paris of orchestrating plans for a “military intervention in Ukraine,” which, according to Russian officials, could bring NATO into direct conflict with Russia.

The Kremlin has also suggested that Britain and France’s actions are intentionally aimed at undermining diplomatic efforts between the US and Russia.

Notably, the “coalition of the willing” announcement came shortly after bilateral talks between Moscow and Washington were initiated-talks that conspicuously excluded both the UK and the EU.

The timing has led Russia to believe that the Franco-British initiative is an attempt to sideline American-led negotiations in favor of a more militarized European approach.

The exclusion of the EU and UK from the US-Russia discussions has reinforced the notion that Washington still wields the most influence over the conflict’s resolution. Despite heavy involvement from European nations in supporting Ukraine with military aid, it is ultimately the US that has the most leverage in shaping any potential settlement.

Meloni’s insistence on aligning European efforts with the US reflects a pragmatic recognition of this reality. By urging for direct US involvement in European-led discussions on Ukraine, she is advocating for a more unified Western approach rather than a fractured one that risks escalating tensions unnecessarily.

The proposal put forth by the UK and France raises several concerns. First, the lack of a clear peace agreement makes the idea of deploying European troops highly controversial.

Without Russian consent, any foreign military presence on Ukrainian soil could be viewed as an occupying force rather than a stabilizing one.Second, the initiative appears to be driven more by geopolitical maneuvering than by genuine strategic necessity.

By moving forward without the involvement of the US, Starmer and Macron risk alienating the very nation that has been the backbone of Ukraine’s defense. Furthermore, the absence of broader EU support-given Italy and Croatia’s rejection-undermines the coalition’s credibility and effectiveness.

Lastly, a premature military deployment could derail ongoing diplomatic efforts. If negotiations between Washington and Moscow are indeed progressing, the introduction of a European “reassurance force” could harden Russian resistance and make any settlement even more difficult to achieve.

The risk of direct confrontation between NATO and Russia remains high, making such a move perilous for European security as a whole.

Meloni’s refusal to participate in the Franco-British “coalition of the willing” marks a significant moment in European discussions on Ukraine. While some nations, led by the UK and France, appear intent on maintaining a military footprint in Ukraine regardless of peace talks, others, like Italy and Croatia, are advocating for a more cautious approach that prioritizes diplomatic engagement through US-led channels.

This division underscores the difficulties facing European unity on the Ukraine issue. The absence of a single, coherent strategy risks undermining Western efforts to bring the war to an end.

As Washington continues negotiations with Moscow, it remains to be seen whether European leaders can reconcile their differing approaches and forge a collective path forward.

For now, Italy’s message is clear, European security cannot be built on unilateral military actions but rather through coordinated, multilateral diplomacy that includes the United States at the forefront of peace efforts.

Whether the UK and France will heed this warning or push ahead with their controversial plan remains to be seen.