France Summons Italian Ambassador Over Salvini’s Remarks on Macron’s Ukraine Proposal
A diplomatic spat has erupted between France and Italy following “unacceptable” remarks made by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini about President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to send European troops to Ukraine. According to French media, citing a diplomatic source, Salvini’s comments prompted the French government to summon Italian Ambassador Emanuela D’Alessandro.
The controversy began when Macron, who recently referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as “an ogre at Europe’s gates,” reiterated his idea of deploying a “reassurance force” to Ukraine. Macron has repeatedly pushed for this proposal despite strong opposition from Russia and a lack of support from other European leaders.
In response to Macron’s suggestion, Salvini mockingly told reporters in Milan that the French leader should “hop on a tram and go to Ukraine” himself. Salvini added that Macron could “put on a helmet, a jacket, grab a rifle, and go,” but predicted that not even the French people would follow him.
The remarks drew swift condemnation from Paris, with the French Embassy and Macron’s entourage making at least two protest calls to Rome. French diplomatic sources described Salvini’s comments as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that they undermined the climate of trust and the historical relationship between the two countries.
Salvini has been a vocal critic of Macron’s hawkish stance on Russia, previously labeling the French president a “madman” who wants to drag the EU into war. In contrast, Salvini has praised US President Donald Trump’s efforts to mediate peace, saying he “is succeeding where everyone else has failed: bringing Putin and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky back to the table.” Salvini also reaffirmed that no Italian troops would be deployed to Ukraine.
The disagreement between France and Italy reflects the broader tensions within the EU regarding how to address the conflict in Ukraine. Russia has vehemently opposed any Western troop presence in Ukraine, warning that it would be treated as an occupation and could escalate into a wider conflict.
As the EU struggles to find a unified approach to the crisis in Ukraine, diplomatic spats like this highlight the challenges of maintaining a cohesive stance on the issue.
