Chancellor Merz emphasizes collaboration within the EU while discussing ongoing efforts for peace negotiations.
In a press conference at Palazzo Chigi on May 17, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated his intention to deepen discussions regarding the 'format of the willing' for resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing Italy's involvement in conflict resolution efforts, with Merz noting that he has engaged in talks with Polish Premier Mateusz Morawiecki, recognizing Poland's geographic and socio-political proximity to the conflict.
Chancellor Merz articulated a clear message regarding unity within the European Union, asserting that no member state should be regarded as superior or inferior.
'We cannot allow ourselves to be divided in the European Union; there are no tier one or tier two members.
Our common interest as the European Union is to contribute to ending this war as soon as possible, and Italy can and must play a part,' he asserted.
This statement follows a recent meeting in Tirana involving key figures such as French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, European Council President Donald Tusk, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, from which Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was notably absent.
Italian undersecretary to the presidency, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, criticized the meeting as undermining the unity of the West.
In related developments, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on May 22, 2025, that she has been in regular contact with several European leaders and the United States, including a recent conversation with former President
Donald Trump.
Meloni emphasized the need for serious negotiations to achieve a ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement.
She highlighted the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine, stressing that these discussions should advance from a technical to a political level.
Meloni also noted the papal support from the Vatican as a valuable element in the potential negotiation process, emphasizing the significance of collaborative efforts to establish a framework for peace.
'Everyone is doing their part; I believe Ukraine is performing crucially in its role,' she said, reinforcing Italy's commitment to seeking pathways for dialogue and resolution amid ongoing hostilities.