Italy’s Meloni backs Ukraine security plan that gives allies 24 hours to send troops if Russia invades again, Bloomberg reports
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Zelenskyy says he has received positive signals from US over resumption of military aid – as it happened
Zelenskyy says Ukraine has got “all necessary political signals for military aid resumption’ He said Ukraine received “a timetable and details of weapons supplies,” Reuters reported. He also confirmed Bloomberg’s reports from earlier this week (£) that he could replace the country’S ambassador to the US. He said he was considering Ukraine’s defence minister, Rustem Umerov, for the job. Macron doubles down on criticism of Brexit, its impact on irregular migration, in Q&A. He says Britons were “sold a lie that the problem was Europe,’ adding that new plans are “pragmatic’ and “for the first time in nine years’ since the referendum – are focused on solving the problem. He then puts forward a powerful defence of centrism in politics, saying that most serious issues need to resolved by cooperation with others – not by getting stuck in simplistic and simplistic national narratives. The press conference ends with Starmer asked about recognising Palestinian statehood to which he replies it has been Labour’s policy for a long time.
10 Jul 2025 18.10 BST Zelenskyy also confirmed Bloomberg’s reports from earlier this week (£) that he could replace the country’s ambassador to the US. He said he was considering Ukraine’s defence minister, Rustem Umerov, for the job. He said the new ambassador’s top task will be to strengthen Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s aggression. Share
10 Jul 2025 17.51 BST Germany prepared to pay for two Patriot systems, Norway for one, Zelenskyy says Zelenskyy also offered a bit more detail on Ukraine’s plans to get more Patriot missiles from the US, with the help of European allies. He says there was “a positive dialogue” with US president Trump on the Patriot system. He says Germany is prepared to pay for two Patriot systems for Ukraine, with Norway offering to pay for another one. He says other European partners could join when there is more clarity on the costs and details of what’s needed. On sanctions, he says he counts on the US leadership to implement “tough” measures to disrupt Russia’s ability to continue attacks. Share
10 Jul 2025 17.45 BST Ukraine gets positive signals on resuming military aid from US, Zelenskyy says Meanwhile in Rome, Zelenskyy says Ukraine has got “all necessary political signals for military aid resumption” after recent constructive talks with Trump. He said Ukraine received “a timetable and details of weapons supplies,” Reuters reported. Share Updated at 17.46 BST
10 Jul 2025 17.27 BST On Ukraine, Macron also warns that Russia “has never kept to its commitments” since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine, and only adds to an already complex risk landscape with terrorism, maritime, cyber threats. But he points out that it needs to be recognised that just a few thousands kilometers from France, there is a country that spends 40% of its budget on the military. The press conference ends with Starmer asked about recognising Palestinian statehood to which he replies it has been Labour’s policy for a long time, but the focus in on getting a ceasefire. So with that, let’s turn out attention to Rome, where Zelenskyy is speaking. Share Updated at 17.30 BST
10 Jul 2025 17.24 BST Zelenskyy speaking to media after Rome conference on Ukraine Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy is also beginning his press conference in Rome now. You can watch it here: Live Live Zelenskyy holds press conference in Rome – watch live Share
10 Jul 2025 17.21 BST Separately, it’s worth noting that Macron – again, just like he did in his parliamentary speech on Tuesday – raises the prospect of the UK and France recognising a Palestinian state, saying it was “the only hope for peace” in the region. One to watch. Share
10 Jul 2025 17.20 BST Curiously, Macron again switches to English as he picks up a different point from Starmer on irregular migration and clearly wants to send a signal to the UK insisting that “the only way to be efficient is to work together.” He says the migration crisis is also having an effect on northern France – Calais, Dunkirk and a lot of other cities, a point that he says is underestimated in the UK debate on migration. He says he hopes the new plan will have a strong deterrence effect and will help resolve the issue. Share
10 Jul 2025 17.10 BST Macron doubles down on criticism of Brexit, its impact on irregular migration Macron doubles down on his criticism of Brexit in the Q&A. He says Britons were “sold a lie that the problem was Europe,” adding it left “a legal black hole,” with resulted in Brexit causing further problems. He insists the new plans are “pragmatic” and “for the first time in nine years” – that’s since the Brexit referendum in 2016 – are focused on actually solving the problem. He then puts forward a powerful defence of centrism in politics, saying that most serious issues these days need to resolved by cooperation with others – not by getting stuck in simplistic and nationalistic narratives. (Starmer says something similar criticising “the performative politics of easy answers” as he takes a swipe at Nigel Farage.) A reminder that if you need more on UK domestic politics angles, you can read it here: UK and France agree pilot ‘one in, one out’ returns scheme designed to curb migrant boat crossings – UK politics live Read more Share Updated at 17.14 BST
10 Jul 2025 17.01 BST Despite promises, Brexit makes it more difficult to tackle irregular migration, Macron says Oh, that’s interesting: Macron also once again – as he did in his parliamentary speech on Tuesday – pointedly criticises Brexit. View image in fullscreen Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron address a joint press conference in north-west London. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images He discusses in details various decisions made during today’s meeting, including their agreed on a one in, one out rule. But then he pointedly says Britain’s withdrawal from the EU makes it even more difficult for both countries to fight illegal migration. He says: “Since Brexit, the UK no longer has any migration agreement with EU. So for people wanting to cross, there is no legal admission, nor a way of sending people back after a crossing. This is a pull factor to attempt the crossing, exactly the inverse effect of what Brexit promised.” Share Updated at 17.04 BST
10 Jul 2025 16.54 BST Macron praises coalition arrangements for Ukraine Macron also talks about the need to speed up bilateral UK-French cooperation on new generation of missiles and coordination on AI, space and cyberspace and disinformation. “In a period where our countries are facing hybrid threats, this is a wide ranging toolbox to confront the challenges we are faced with,” he says. On Ukraine, he talks the two countries share determination to keep supporting Kyiv. He says the EU’s 18th package of sanctions “is being finalised and the Americans are preparing to impose further sanctions” too. The French president then turns to the Coalition of the Willing (17:38), saying the arrangements agreed today mean “we will be able to hold this ceasefire and give it credibility in the air, [and] on the sea.” “We also wish to strengthen our partnership against the Russian shadow fleet and their fight against their avoidance of sanctions,” he adds. Share
10 Jul 2025 16.49 BST Macron also talk about security issues, stressing that Britain and France have a particular responsibility as the two European countries with nuclear weapons. He warns that there are growing security risks, with threats coming not only from terrorists, but also with the consequences of a major conflict in Europe. As part of their response, the two countries will increase the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force to 50,000 troops. On nuclear, he sends a strong signal, saying: “We don’t exclude coordinating our nuclear deterrence. This is a message our partners need to hear, and our adversaries, too.” Share Updated at 16.58 BST
10 Jul 2025 16.43 BST ‘While Putin turns back on peace, we are rallying more support for Ukraine,’ Starmer says Starmer begins by discussing all sorts of issues raised during bilateral talks with France, including on migration. UK and France agree pilot ‘one in, one out’ returns scheme designed to curb migrant boat crossings – UK politics live Read more But on Ukraine, he says: “We have just co chaired a meeting of the coalition of the willing, including representatives from the United States, for the first time. We announced plans for a new multinational force Ukraine headquartered in Paris, so that we are ready to support a peace deal when it comes. While Putin turns his back on peace, we are rallying more support for Ukraine right now to defend their people and force Putin to the table.” Share Updated at 16.45 BST
10 Jul 2025 16.41 BST Starmer, Macron speaking at conclusion of three-day state visit Starmer and Macron are now speaking at a press conference together. You can watch it below, and I will bring you the key lines here. Live Live Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron hold joint press conference – watch live And for key UK news angles, including on migration in the English Channel, follow our UK live blog here: UK and France agree pilot ‘one in, one out’ returns scheme designed to curb migrant boat crossings – UK politics live Read more Share
10 Jul 2025 16.38 BST ‘Coalition of the Willing’ agrees key parts of post-ceasefire operations, plans to ‘step up’ support to Ukraine to put pressure on Russia As we are still waiting for both press conferences, we have just heard from the UK on the Coalition of the Willing’s plans for further help for Ukraine after its leaders met virtually earlier today. The meeting was joined for the first time by US representatives, including presidential envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and senator Lindsey Graham. A 3-star multinational operational headquarters of the coalition will be based in Paris, and will rotate to London after 12 months. In case of a lasting ceasefire, the new coalition force is expected to help with regenerating and reconstituting Ukraine’s land forces, securing Ukraine’s skies with coalition aircraft delivering air policing, and supporting safer seas, particularly in the Black Sea. The leaders also “agreed their priority effort must be to focus on Ukraine’s immediate defence in the face of relentless Russian attacks on critical national infrastructure and civilians,” the statement read. British prime minister Keir Starmer said: “In the coming days and weeks, we will step up our support to keep Ukraine in the fight now, increasing pressure on Putin through crippling sanctions and ensuring Ukraine’s Armed Forces have the equipment they need to defend their sovereign territory.” He added: I am clear that the more we do to counter Russia’s aggression, the safer we will keep the British people, our allies and the Euro-Atlantic area. Share
10 Jul 2025 16.12 BST Lithuania confirms Gerbera drone crash after flying in from Belarus In the meantime, we are getting a bit more detail on the unmanned aircraft reported by the Lithuanian authorities earlier (14:04). Defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė confirmed it was a “Gerbera”, a decoy drone intended to imitate the more dangerous Shahed drones, LRT reported. She added that there was currently no evidence to confirm if the drone was deliberately sent across the border from Belarus into Lithuania. Gintautas Ciunis, of the Lithuanian armed forces, confirmed it did not pose a danger, but a more in-depth investigation into the incident was under way. The aircraft reportedly flew at a low altitude of about 100 meters, at a speed of 50–60 km/h, before falling to the ground, it was reported. Share
Italy’s Meloni backs Ukraine security plan that gives allies 24 hours to send troops if Russia invades again, Bloomberg reports
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is backing a plan similar to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause. The proposal does not include Ukraine’s membership in NATO. Meloni’s proposal is now among those being weighed by European leaders as President Vladimir Zelensky prepares for direct negotiations with Putin. The plan would require countries that have signed security agreements with Ukraine to deliberate and respond quickly in the event of another Russian attack.
European leaders and other Ukrainian allies have been accelerating talks on security guarantees for Kyiv in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Alaska Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. NATO military leaders met virtually on Aug. 20 to discuss security support.
Meloni is backing a plan that is similar to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause, sources told Bloomberg. The proposal does not include Ukraine’s membership in NATO.
The Alliance’s collective defense principle enshrined in Article 5 commits member nations to provide military support to any other member state in the event of an attack. Meloni first brought up the idea of extending Article 5 protections to Kyiv — without a NATO invitation — in March 2025.
Meloni was also one of eight European leaders that joined Zelensky at the White House on Aug. 18 to meet with Trump and discuss security guarantees for postwar Ukraine.
Meloni’s proposal is now among those being weighed by European leaders as President Vladimir Zelensky prepares for direct negotiations with Putin. The plan would require countries that have signed security agreements with Ukraine to deliberate and respond quickly in the event of another Russian attack following a peace agreement.
Response options would include defense support, economic aid, and sanctions against Russia, people familiar with the discussions said. It is not clear whether the plan would involve individual European countries sending troops to Ukraine.
Bloomberg previously reported that about 10 European countries are willing to commit troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force that would deter Russia from launching a renewed attack in violation of a peace deal.
The Kremlin has dismissed these security proposals, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying on Aug. 20 that Russia should be one of the countries that provides Ukraine security guarantees.
“(S)eriously discussing security issues without Russia is a road to nowhere,” he said.
Extending NATO’s Article 5 to Ukraine would test Russia’s peace intentions, Meloni says
Giorgia Meloni calls for NATO to extend Article 5 security guarantees to Ukraine. The cornerstone of NATO’s collective defense, Article 5 has only been invoked once, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 24 that Russian President Vladimir Putin would allow European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a deal. Meloni: “If Russia does not plan to invade its neighbors again, it is not clear why it should not accept security guarantees”
Article 5, the cornerstone of NATO’s collective defense, says that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. It has only been invoked once, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York.
“Extending NATO’s Article 5 to Ukraine seems to be the simplest and most effective proposal of all, also because it would help call a possible bluff,” Meloni said.
“If Russia does not plan to invade its neighbors again, it is not clear why it should not accept security guarantees that are only defensive.”
Meloni first suggested on March 6 that NATO could extend Article 5 protection to Ukraine without granting Kyiv full membership in the alliance.
The Italian prime minister has positioned herself as a potential bridge between European leaders and the Trump administration, which has called Ukraine’s NATO aspirations unrealistic.
Washington has instead backed the idea of European-led peacekeeping forces monitoring a potential ceasefire but has not offered concrete security guarantees to Ukraine.
Despite growing European support for bolstering Ukraine’s security, Italy has ruled out sending peacekeepers to eastern Ukraine to enforce a potential ceasefire.
“We should not slavishly follow the proposals put forward by others simply because we have to decide what our position is. Our role is to participate with our own proposals,” Meloni said, adding that her Article 5 proposal should be “on the negotiating table.”
Over 30 countries have expressed willingness to contribute to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, with the U.K. and France leading the initiative, according to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office. Canada and Australia have also signaled openness to participating.
NATO allies reaffirmed Ukraine’s “irreversible” path toward membership in July 2024 but have not extended a formal invitation despite repeated calls from Kyiv.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 24 that Russian President Vladimir Putin would allow European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a deal, though Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov publicly rejected the idea.
Italy does not plan to send peacekeepers to Ukraine, remains committed to ‘effective security guarantees’
Italy does not plan to participate in a peacekeeping force on the ground in eastern Ukraine. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended the U.K.-led virtual summit of the “coalition of the willing” on March 15. Italy will continue to work with European and Western allies to “define credible and effective security guarantees” for Ukraine, Meloni’s office said. Ukraine’s allies reaffirmed their support for the embattled nation and condemned Russia for its war against the country.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted an online summit of the “coalition of the willing” earlier on March 15. Attendees discussed how each nation could contribute to securing Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.
Meloni attended the U.K.-led virtual summit on March 15 alongside 24 other nations at the multilateral event.
Italy does not have plans to participate in a peacekeeping force on the ground in Ukraine, a statement put out by Meloni’s office following the meeting read.
Italy will continue to work with European and Western allies to “define credible and effective security guarantees” for Ukraine, the statement added.
Following the summit, Ukraine’s allies reaffirmed their support for the embattled nation and condemned Russia for its war against Ukraine.
“Russia does not give the impression of a country that sincerely desires peace… It does not respond to the proposals of the United States and Ukraine. It intensifies hostilities. President Putin wants to get everything and then negotiate,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.
While the U.K. and France have been the most vocal in supporting troops on the ground in Ukraine, leaders of other nations have expressed reservations about a military force.
“It is still too early to talk about putting troops on the ground because we don’t have a ceasefire, we don’t have a peace process… Once we have a clear plan, we start doing the commitments,” Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on March 15.
Stubb affirmed Finland’s support for Ukraine but in line with other nations bordering Russia such as Poland, Finland has sought to offer Ukraine security in other ways while retaining troops on its own territory.
In the face of the U.S. repeatedly ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine, Meloni said on March 6 that NATO could extend Article 5 protections to Ukraine without granting membership in the alliance.
“We need to think about more durable solutions” than just sending European peacekeepers to Ukraine, Meloni said on the sidelines of an EU leaders meeting in Brussels on March 6. “It’s a different thing than entering NATO, but it implies extending the coverage that NATO countries have also to Ukraine,” she added.
Ukraine war latest: Poland scrambles jets as Putin’s forces bombard Ukraine with massive drone attack
Zelenskyy asks for ‘robust US response’ if Putin declines meeting. Ukrainian president says he wants to see a “robust response” from the US if Putin doesn’t agree to a meeting. He said he was “fine” with Switzerland or Austria and unopposed to Turkey. He explained to Trump that withdrawing from the Donbas would open a path for the Russians to Kharkiv and Dnipro. He believes it would take Russia four years of war to seize the rest of Donbas, which Putin has demanded in exchange for an end to fighting.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he wants to see a “robust response” from the US if Vladimir Putin doesn’t agree to a meeting.
In wide-ranging remarks to journalists yesterday, he said: “If the Russians aren’t prepared for this, we’re asking for tariffs.
“We’re calling for additional sanctions and tariff measures from the US as they will genuinely make an impact,” he added.
“We’re hopeful that America will step up.”
Where could they meet?
He said he was “fine” with Switzerland or Austria and unopposed to Turkey.
“A meeting in Moscow is out of the question,” he said.
As for Budapest, Zelenskyy said it was “tricky” because there is “broad unity across Europe in supporting Ukraine during this war, but, to be frank, Budapest hasn’t been on board”.
“I asked President Trump to ensure Budapest doesn’t block our path to European Union membership.
“President Trump promised his team would work on this.”
‘Four years’ for Russia to take Donbas
Zelenskyy says he believes it would take Russia four years of war to seize the rest of the Donbas, which Vladimir Putin has demanded in exchange for an end to fighting.
He explained Russia already occupied a third of the region before the full scale invasion and now hold 67-69%, meaning they have taken just a third in nearly four years of fighting.
“I made it clear that talk of them occupying our Donbas by year’s end is pure bluster.”
The Ukrainian president said he explained to Trump that withdrawing from the Donbas would open a path for the Russians to Kharkiv and Dnipro.
“If Putin gains control here, he’ll push further, regardless of any agreements signed. Did President Trump agree? He understood.”
Zelenskyy says he told Trump that Putin was selling “hot air”.
“Perhaps he’s banking on this, hoping to avoid ending the war by setting conditions we can’t accept.”
Security guarantees boosted by US
US agreement to support security guarantees has opened the door for other allies to commit, Zelenskyy said.
Turkey, for example has “indicated it’s ready to ensure security in the Black Sea”.
General staffs from “key countries” are already discussing what they’re prepared to contribute,” he said.
This ranges from boots on the ground to air defence systems and air patrols to financial support and weaponry.