Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin's cease-fire offer for Ukraine as 'propaganda' during the Group of Seven summit in southern Italy. Meloni announced a $50 billion loan deal for Ukraine, with contributions from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and possibly Japan. The loan will be backed by frozen Russian assets in Europe, with Meloni highlighting Europe's role in identifying the guarantee mechanism.
The loan agreement was reached at the G7 summit, where leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States gathered. Meloni criticized Putin's proposal, stating that it appears more like a propaganda move than a genuine offer for peace.
Putin's conditions for a cease-fire included Ukraine withdrawing troops from annexed regions and renouncing NATO plans, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected as an ultimatum. Switzerland hosted a peace conference for Ukraine, although Russia's absence cast doubt on significant progress.
During the summit, Meloni addressed the Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing the need for dialogue and recognizing the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. She urged Israel to avoid falling into traps set by Hamas and emphasized the importance of ensuring Israel's safety while supporting Palestinian statehood.
Furthermore, Meloni highlighted the G7's focus on migratory flows and combating human traffickers. The summit's final communique announced a coalition to counter migrant smuggling, emphasizing addressing root causes of irregular migration, enhancing border management, and providing safe migration pathways.
Italy, a key entry point for migrants into the EU, aims to reduce migratory pressure by increasing investment in African nations. Meloni's proactive stance on migration underscores the importance of addressing the underlying issues driving migration.
