During a summit in Paris, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the need for broader international cooperation in reaching a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

She specifically called for the inclusion of the United States in future peace negotiations, asserting that an official invitation should be extended to the White House to ensure American representation at the table of 'willing participants.' This request reflects Meloni's desire to bridge gaps between Europe and the US, particularly amid tensions arising from trade disputes.

In her discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, Meloni advocated for support of former President Donald Trump's peace initiatives.

The meeting highlighted the complexities of maintaining transatlantic relations as both leaders acknowledged the need for a united front in addressing the conflict's implications.

While negotiations among three key players took place in Saudi Arabia, Meloni's approach sought to avoid potential pitfalls associated with unilateral military actions, reiterating Italy's firm opposition to sending troops to Ukraine.

Her stance resonated with other European leaders, such as Poland’s Prime Minister, who also expressed resistance to military engagement.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala deemed discussions about troop deployments as 'premature.'

French and British leaders, however, indicated plans for a Franco-British mission to Ukraine aimed at evaluating military support for Kyiv and potentially implementing a 'security force' should a comprehensive ceasefire be achieved.

Despite differing views, Meloni recognized a positive shift in the conversation from discussing 'boots on the ground' to considering 'deterrent troops,' which was perceived as a constructive development.

Regarding Italy's potential contribution, Meloni confirmed that while Italy would not participate in a military force on the ground, the country might consider involvement in a UN-led mission focused on overseeing and implementing a ceasefire following a peace agreement.

Meloni articulated her vision for a 'just and lasting peace,' which she believes requires ongoing support for Ukraine and robust security guarantees, emphasizing that these guarantees must be rooted in the Euro-Atlantic framework and cannot be separated from US involvement.

She has proposed extending NATO's Article 5 provisions to Ukraine, albeit without formal NATO membership for the country.

This proposition has garnered attention within various diplomatic circles, with leaders like NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressing interest.

The summit atmosphere, however, contrasted starkly with the optimism surrounding these discussions.

The sentiments expressed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated significant concerns about Russia's intentions, as he perceived Moscow as leveraging time to undermine peace efforts.

Diplomatic sources suggested that the prospect of a ceasefire remains precarious, reaffirming Zelensky's belief that Russia seeks to disrupt unity between Europe and the US.

In line with her diplomatic strategy, Meloni proposed that any ceasefire extend to civilian infrastructure, encompassing schools and hospitals, to encourage Russian goodwill and test its commitment to negotiations.

As the summit concluded, the discussions reflected broader uncertainties about the pace and durability of achieving a meaningful peace, particularly as the French and British leaders prepared for their next steps in supporting Ukraine.