Meloni sets EU summit agenda: back Ukraine, sanction Ben Gvir, and give Europe its own voice at peace talks

Ukraine: a frozen front and a 20th sanctions package

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told the Chamber of Deputies that Italy's support for Ukraine remains unchanged. She noted that the war, which began over four years ago, has now lasted longer than the First World War. Despite Russia's winter, spring and summer offensives, the front line is essentially static and Moscow has not increased the percentage of Ukrainian territory under its control since 1 January 2026.

Supporting Kiev and keeping the pressure on Moscow still represents, in our view, the only serious way to create conditions that can force the opening of a serious negotiating season.

Meloni confirmed Italy backs the 20th EU sanctions package and condemned repeated Russian violations of EU and NATO airspace, including attacks that hit civilian targets in Romania. A draft majority resolution circulating in parliament also calls for planning a phase-out of the sanctions regime once the conflict ends, suggesting it could be used as negotiating leverage.

A European negotiator, not a variable format

Meloni argued that Europe must negotiate the conditions of any peace deal directly, rather than delegating to the United States. She said coordination with Washington is essential but stressed that many conditions of a future settlement depend on, concern and impact Europe.

Coordination does not mean delegation. In any serious peace scenario between Ukraine and Russia, several conditions depend on Europe, concern Europe, impact Europe. And it is Europe that must negotiate them.

She criticised the current patchwork of negotiating formats as fragmented and unrepresentative, and reiterated her long-standing call for a single authoritative figure, invested with the trust and mandate of all member states, to carry Europe's position into talks with Russia and Ukraine.

Middle East: sanctions on settlers and Ben Gvir

On the Middle East, Meloni said Italy is not a party to the conflict and does not intend to become one, but stressed that prudence does not mean inaction. She announced support for measures against violent settlers who fuel hatred and extremism, and specifically called for sanctions against Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

We have asked to sanction minister Ben Gvir after his unacceptable behaviour towards Italian citizens. I take this opportunity to return to sender the statements that the same minister made — unacceptable for Italy and lacking dignity for Israel.

She also condemned all attacks on UNIFIL personnel, bases and missions, stating that whoever strikes or threatens UNIFIL strikes the entire international community.

Defence spending and the NATO summit

Meloni told parliament that Italy will arrive at the upcoming NATO summit with defence and security spending at 2.8% of GDP, an increase of 0.71 percentage points. She noted, however, that the rise is driven primarily by spending on domestic security. The broader discussion, she said, feeds into the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations, which must equip the Union with adequate resources to meet its political ambitions.

Global trade routes and the Strait of Hormuz

Meloni also addressed tensions affecting the global economy, declaring that Italy does not accept unilateral alterations to transit rules in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement comes amid broader concerns over freedom of navigation and security of commercial routes that directly affect Italian national interests.