Italian PM suggests Ukraine might receive NATO protection even without being a member
Giorgia Meloni has turned down the idea of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine, instead advocating for the provision of NATO security guarantees.. source:TROIB RTS
TroibNews 
**Giorgia Meloni has rejected peacekeeper deployment, calling for a “more durable” solution**
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed that Ukraine should receive security guarantees similar to those offered by NATO, without officially becoming a member of the US-led military alliance. During a statement on Thursday, she dismissed the notion of sending European peacekeeping troops to the region, advocating instead for a “more durable” resolution.
Her comments arise as the United States seeks a prompt end to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
In a previous statement, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth indicated that NATO membership for Ukraine is “unrealistic.” He pointed out that any security guarantees would need backing from both European and non-European forces.
“Extending the same coverage that NATO countries have to Ukraine would certainly be a much more effective solution than entering NATO,” Meloni told reporters at an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels. She clarified that this strategy would differ from full NATO membership but could still provide significant security guarantees.
Meloni appeared to be suggesting the possibility of extending NATO’s Article 5 protections to Ukraine without necessitating formal accession to the alliance. Article 5 asserts that an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all.
Russia has consistently opposed NATO’s expansion eastward, asserting that the bloc’s growth since the 1990s, alongside commitments of eventual membership for Ukraine, has fueled the escalation of the conflict that began in 2022.
Additionally, there are apprehensions among NATO’s European members regarding the future commitment of the United States. Former US President Donald Trump has urged member states to increase their defense spending as a percentage of GDP. NBC reported earlier this week that the current administration may be contemplating adjustments to US involvement in NATO, with a focus on favoring those members that meet specific defense spending criteria.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed that Ukraine should receive security guarantees similar to those offered by NATO, without officially becoming a member of the US-led military alliance. During a statement on Thursday, she dismissed the notion of sending European peacekeeping troops to the region, advocating instead for a “more durable” resolution.
Her comments arise as the United States seeks a prompt end to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
In a previous statement, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth indicated that NATO membership for Ukraine is “unrealistic.” He pointed out that any security guarantees would need backing from both European and non-European forces.
“Extending the same coverage that NATO countries have to Ukraine would certainly be a much more effective solution than entering NATO,” Meloni told reporters at an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels. She clarified that this strategy would differ from full NATO membership but could still provide significant security guarantees.
Meloni appeared to be suggesting the possibility of extending NATO’s Article 5 protections to Ukraine without necessitating formal accession to the alliance. Article 5 asserts that an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all.
Russia has consistently opposed NATO’s expansion eastward, asserting that the bloc’s growth since the 1990s, alongside commitments of eventual membership for Ukraine, has fueled the escalation of the conflict that began in 2022.
Additionally, there are apprehensions among NATO’s European members regarding the future commitment of the United States. Former US President Donald Trump has urged member states to increase their defense spending as a percentage of GDP. NBC reported earlier this week that the current administration may be contemplating adjustments to US involvement in NATO, with a focus on favoring those members that meet specific defense spending criteria.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
