Coalition of the Willing in video conference: Starmer pushes for peace, Meloni rules out Italian troops

Yes is Today's virtual summit concluded, Saturday 15th March promoted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who brought together 26 international leaders within the so-called "Coalition of Volunteers“. The meeting had as its aim to coordinate measures to ensure the security of Ukraine after a possible peace with Moscow. Among the participants, in addition to the host Starmer, also the French President Emmanuel Macron, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, the newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the leaders of Australia and New Zealand. 

Starmer's message: 'It's time for the guns to fall silent'

The British Prime Minister reiterated the need for to end hostilities in Ukraine and to exert “maximum pressure” on Russia to come to the negotiating table. "Putin will have to come to the peace table sooner or later,” Starmer said, stressing that the Kremlin is trying to buy time. We cannot allow him to play on the deal proposed by President Trump. If Russia finally comes to the (peace) table, we must be ready to monitor the ceasefire to ensure a serious and lasting peace. If it does not, we must use every vigorous effort to increase pressure on Russia to ensure an end to this war.“, he added, referring to the proposed 30-day ceasefire agreed between the United States and Ukraine.

In this context, Starmer announced a new “operational meeting” scheduled for Thursday in London, where the military leaders of the allies will discuss a possible deployment of peacekeepers “on the ground” and “aircraft in the skies” to ensure the security of Ukraine after a peace agreement is reached.

Italy's position: "No to Italian troops in international missions"

Il Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed Italy's support for Ukraine, but categorically ruled out the participation of the Italian armed forces in any military missions on the ground. "National participation in a possible military force on the ground is not foreseen“, Meloni declared during the meeting, reiterating however Italy's willingness to work with European and Western partners to provide security guarantees credible in Kiev.

Kremlin's reaction: "EU is behaving like a puppy at Trump's feet"

Moscow did not fail to respond. Kremlin diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov accused European leaders of blindly following US policy under President Trump, defining the European Union as “puppies at the owner's feet".

The European Union Strategy: Strengthening Defence and Ensuring Peace

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the EU's support for Ukraine and urged Moscow to demonstrate a concrete commitment to a "just and lasting peace". He also announced the intensification of efforts to strengthen European defence through the “ReArm Europe” initiative, aimed at increasing military spending by member countries.

The meeting confirmed the West's intention to support Ukraine and maintain pressure on Moscow., while working on a concrete plan to ensure post-conflict security. The summit also highlighted the strategic differences between the various countries involved, with some declaring themselves in favor of direct intervention, while others, such as Italy, prefer to maintain a more cautious approach..

La Thursday's operational meeting will be the next test to translate the intentions into concrete actions declared in this video conference.