New Delhi, January 9, 2026, 7:44 p.m. IST
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni advocated for Europe to initiate direct talks with Russia on January 9, 2026, during her annual New Year’s press conference in Rome, stressing the need for a unified approach to bolster the continent’s role in Ukraine negotiations.
Agreement with Macron on Engagement
Meloni aligned her stance with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has pushed for renewed European contact with Moscow following his own July 2025 call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, their first since 2022. She argued that Europe must communicate with both conflict parties to avoid diminishing its influence, warning that one-sided talks would limit positive outcomes. “The time has come for Europe to speak with Russia,” Meloni stated, highlighting risks of exclusion from key decisions.
Call for EU Special Envoy
To prevent disarray, Meloni recommended appointing a single EU representative to negotiate directly with Putin, criticizing past efforts marred by “too many voices and too many formats.” Such fragmentation, she noted, would inadvertently aid Putin by weakening Europe’s position in the accelerating peace process that began gaining traction in November 2025. A unified envoy would ensure coherent messaging amid ongoing ceasefire discussions.
Rejects G7 Reintegration and Troops
Meloni dismissed U.S. suggestions from November 2025 to reintegrate Russia into the G7, reviving the suspended G8 format post-2014 Crimea annexation as “absolutely premature.” Italy also maintains its refusal to deploy troops to Ukraine for peace enforcement, despite recent French British commitments to multinational forces post-ceasefire. This position underscores Rome’s support for Ukraine while prioritizing caution against escalation.
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Broader Diplomatic Context
Negotiations have advanced on parallel tracks including ceasefires, security pacts modeled on NATO’s Article 5, and reconstruction, though Moscow resists Western troop involvement and demands territorial concessions.
A January 6 Paris summit among allies yielded pledges for rapid responses to potential Russian violations, yet Kremlin officials like Sergey Lavrov insist on Russia’s inclusion in guarantees. Meloni’s remarks reflect Italy’s pragmatic balancing act in supporting Kyiv without overcommitting resources.
