Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has urged China and India to take an active role in finding a solution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Meloni, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently, believes that nations like China and India hold significant influence on the global stage and have a responsibility to contribute to peace.
Meloni’s call for involvement from these two nations comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin named India, Brazil, and China as potential intermediaries in resolving the conflict. Putin’s suggestion was made during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, where he highlighted the close relationships and trust he holds with these countries.
During her speech at the Ambrosetti Forum in Italy, Meloni addressed the broader implications of the conflict, stating that ignoring the crisis or abandoning Ukraine to its fate would lead to a multiplication of chaos and fragmentation in international relations. She emphasized that the current situation demonstrates the interconnectedness of global affairs and the need for collective action to uphold the rule of law.
Meloni further explained that the conflict in Ukraine underscores the importance of choosing between upholding international law and promoting global stability or accepting the potential consequences of undermining these principles. She believes that China and India can play a critical role in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict, recognizing the potential for increased economic fragmentation and geopolitical instability if the conflict continues.
While emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in resolving the crisis, Meloni reiterated her government’s full support for Ukraine, stating that the decision to support Kyiv is firmly aligned with Italy’s national interests.
Previously, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kyiv in August, expressing his commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the war and offering India’s readiness to play an active role in the peace process. Modi’s visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since independence, came after a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Modi has consistently emphasized India’s stance of peace, advocating for a diplomatic solution to the conflict and expressing a willingness to contribute personally to achieve a peaceful outcome.