Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during a final media conference at the G7 in Borgo Egnazia, southern Italy, expressed her belief that India could play a significant role in resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“China and India have a role to play in resolving this conflict. The only thing that cannot happen is to believe the conflict can be solved by abandoning Ukraine,” Meloni stated after her meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at The European House – Ambrosetti (TEHA) annual conference.
Italy has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, supplying weapons to Kyiv with the condition that they are used solely within Ukrainian territory to defend against Russian forces.
Meloni’s comments echoed those of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently suggested that China, India, and Brazil could potentially mediate peace talks for Ukraine. “We respect our friends and partners, who I believe are sincerely seeking to resolve this conflict, particularly China, Brazil, and India. I am in constant communication with them on this issue,” Putin said, as reported by Russia’s state-owned news agency, TASS.
Putin also referenced an early agreement between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators from talks in Istanbul during the initial weeks of the war, suggesting it could serve as a basis for future discussions.
In the early stages of the conflict in 2022, Russia and Ukraine engaged in multiple rounds of talks aimed at reaching a peace agreement. However, disputes over territorial control, Ukraine’s national identity, and security guarantees hindered the finalization of any deal.
India, meanwhile, has maintained a position of formal neutrality throughout the Russia-Ukraine war, guided by its national interests. New Delhi has consistently abstained from key votes at the UN Security Council, General Assembly, and Human Rights Council that condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Additionally, India has avoided openly criticizing Moscow or President Putin, refraining from labeling Russia as the aggressor in the crisis.