Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for an urgent transatlantic summit to address the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader global challenges. Her proposal follows a tense encounter

between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting in Washington.

In a statement on Saturday, Meloni emphasized the importance of Western unity, warning that divisions within the alliance only serve to weaken its position. "Every split in the West makes us more vulnerable and benefits those who wish to see our civilization decline," she stated, urging immediate discussions between the U.S., European nations, and allied partners.

Italian media highlighted Meloni’s close connections to both Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk, suggesting she could play a role in mediating any transatlantic tensions.

The meeting between Zelensky and Trump, initially intended as a routine signing of a framework agreement on Ukraine’s natural resources, took an unexpected turn. The 45-minute Oval Office discussion reportedly became tense when Zelensky urged the U.S. to avoid escalating the conflict. Trump, who has previously expressed skepticism about continued U.S. involvement in Ukraine, abruptly ended the meeting. He later took to his Truth Social platform, accusing Zelensky of not being committed to peace "if America is involved."

Trump’s stance was echoed by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who posted on social media: "Enough of this war. Forward, Trump."

Meanwhile, opposition leader Elly Schlein of the Democratic Party condemned Trump’s position, accusing him of aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As tensions rise within the Western alliance, Meloni’s call for a high-level summit underscores the growing urgency for a unified approach to the war in Ukraine and other global crises. Photo by Governo italiano, Wikimedia commons.