Meloni at the G7 in Evian: 'Broad convergence, including on Kyiv. Relationship with Trump unchanged'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni concluded her participation in the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, reporting significant alignment on various international issues. She expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron for his work hosting the summit and noted "broad convergences" with former U.S. President Donald Trump on topics ranging from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific.

Meloni discussed the situation in Ukraine with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, highlighting that the reality on the ground differed from the Russian narrative. She reiterated the goal of facilitating a direct dialogue between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Regarding European mediation efforts for Ukraine, Meloni suggested that medium-sized European Union powers should take the lead.

The Italian leader also addressed Italy's commitment to contributing to security in the Strait of Hormuz. She specifically commented on Israeli politics, expressing hope that the ongoing election campaign would not jeopardize diplomatic efforts. Meloni cautioned against "exaggerated tones" from the election, referencing comments from Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and stressed the importance of ensuring the existing agreements are respected.

Meloni further discussed the critical situations in Lebanon and Gaza, stating that the objective must be to foster "lasting structural solutions" that move beyond temporary ceasefires. When questioned about her relationship with Trump, Meloni described it as "unchanged," noting a lack of recriminations and no need for clarification. She emphasized that both leaders prioritize their national interests and that their discussions focused on serious summit topics like the Iranian issue and Ukraine.

On financial matters, Meloni stated she had not discussed the ongoing banking risks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz but expressed satisfaction with the situation regarding Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS).