We Must Accept This Challenge, Says Italian Prime Minister

Following the controversial meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has urged Europeans not to allow further deterioration of relations with Washington, announcing that Rome will soon call for an EU-US summit. This was reported by Politico.

“An immediate summit is necessary, involving the United States, European nations, and allies, to have an honest conversation about how we intend to overcome today’s serious challenges, starting with Ukraine, which we have defended together in recent years,” Meloni said as quoted by the media.

It is reported that leaders from several European countries, in response to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s invitation, are planning to meet in London on Sunday. Zelensky is also expected to join them. Some European leaders have defended Zelensky from harsh criticism directed at him by Trump during the Washington meeting. EU’s chief diplomat, Kaia Kallas, even stated, “It has become clear today that the free world needs a new leader. We Europeans must accept this challenge.”

The meeting between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office ended with a heated argument, resulting in the failure to sign an agreement on cooperation between the two countries in the extraction of minerals in Ukraine and the cancellation of a joint press conference between the leaders. Following the meeting in Washington, Trump declared that Zelensky was not ready for peace and could return to the White House only when he is prepared for peace.