Italy Proposes Extending NATO Security Umbrella to Ukraine

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Friday, March 7th, 2025

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RKI Network
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has suggested extending NATO’s collective defense protections to Ukraine without granting full membership. Speaking at an EU leaders’ meeting in Brussels, she argued that invoking NATO’s Article 5—the alliance’s mutual defense clause—would provide Kyiv with long-term security guarantees more effectively than deploying peacekeeping forces.
“This is not the same as NATO membership but would ensure real security for Ukraine,” Meloni stated, emphasizing that it offers a more stable solution than other proposals under discussion.
The proposal comes amid heightened European efforts to support Ukraine as U.S. President Donald Trump urges a swift resolution to the war. Last month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out Ukraine’s NATO membership, a stance Trump has also reinforced.
Meloni voiced skepticism about alternative security measures, such as UN peacekeeping deployments, arguing that such missions are only viable after a formal peace process begins. While acknowledging potential U.S. resistance, she noted growing interest among European partners in her proposal.
Ukraine had hoped for NATO membership at the Washington Summit in July 2024 but faced opposition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has since called for a continued NATO presence in Ukraine, even suggesting the deployment of alliance troops to counter Russian forces.
Meloni’s proposal marks a significant shift in NATO’s security discussions, raising questions about the alliance’s future role in Ukraine as war continues.