Following Matteo Salvini’s derisive comments about Emmanuel Macron’s call for Western troops in Ukraine, suggesting Macron should go himself, France has summoned the Italian ambassador.
French media, citing a diplomatic source, reports that France summoned Italy’s ambassador in response to Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s “unacceptable” remarks concerning President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to deploy EU troops to Ukraine.
Salvini’s suggestion that Macron should personally go to Ukraine was made on Wednesday.
Macron, who recently labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin “an ogre at [Europe’s] gates,” has repeatedly raised the idea of a “reassurance force” for Ukraine, despite opposition from Russia and limited support from other EU leaders. He reiterated this notion after a summit in Washington with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, and other European leaders, stating that Ukraine would require a “strong army” and Western ground forces when the conflict concludes.
Speaking to reporters in Milan, Salvini quipped “Hop on a tram and go to Ukraine yourself… Put on a helmet, a jacket, grab a rifle, and go,” mockingly adding, “If Macron wants, he can go – but I think he’ll go alone, because not even a Frenchman would follow him.”
These remarks sparked outrage in Paris. According to Italian news outlets, Rome received at least two protest calls on Thursday – one from the French Embassy and another from Macron’s team – which deemed Salvini’s statements “unacceptable.” AFP reported on Friday that Italian Ambassador Emanuela D’Alessandro was formally summoned by the French Foreign Ministry.
A French diplomatic source stated, “The ambassador was reminded that these remarks went against the climate of trust and the historical relationship between our two countries.” Neither government has officially commented on the summons.
Salvini has been critical of Macron’s hawkish position. Earlier in the year, he described the French president as a “madman” seeking to involve the EU in a war with Russia. He also praised Trump’s mediation efforts, stating in Milan that Trump “is succeeding where everyone else has failed: bringing Putin and Zelensky back to the table.” Salvini also emphasized that Italy would not deploy troops to Ukraine.
Moscow has condemned the prospect of Western troops in Ukraine, warning that such a deployment would be considered an occupation and could potentially lead to a third world war.
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