France summons Italian ambassador over challenge to Macron on Ukraine
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Italy's deputy prime minister had made comments in reference to French President Emmanuel Macron's appeals to deploy European soldiers in Ukraine after any settlement with Russia.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PARIS - France summoned the Italian ambassador after Italy’s deputy prime minister challenged the French president for suggesting that European soldiers be deployed in Ukraine in a post-war settlement, a French diplomatic source said on Aug 23.
Asked earlier this week to comment on French President Emmanuel Macron’s appeals to deploy European soldiers in Ukraine
“You go there if you want. Put your helmet on, your jacket, your rifle, and you go to Ukraine,” he told reporters, referring to Mr Macron.
Mr Salvini, the populist leader of the right-wing League party and also Italy’s transport minister in the nationalist, conservative government led by Ms Giorgia Meloni, has repeatedly criticised Mr Macron, especially over Ukraine.
The Italian ambassador was summoned on Aug 22, the diplomatic source said, marking the latest in a series of diplomatic clashes between Paris and Rome before and after Ms Meloni took power in 2022.
“The ambassador was reminded that these remarks ran counter to the climate of trust and the historical relationship between our two countries, as well as to recent bilateral developments, which have highlighted strong convergences between the two countries, particularly with regard to unwavering support for Ukraine,” the source said.
Mr Macron, a vocal supporter of Ukraine over its war with Russia, has been working with other world leaders, notably British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to mobilise support for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. REUTERS
