France summoned Italy's ambassador after Matteo Salvini mocked President Macron's support for Ukraine, saying Macron could "put on a helmet and 'go himself'" if he favours sending European troops. Ambassador Emanuela D'Alessandro was reminded that Salvini's remarks undermined the climate of trust and the historical relationship and contradicted recent bilateral convergences, especially unwavering support for Ukraine. Salvini leads the anti-migrant Lega party, which has been languishing in polls and earlier called Macron a "madman," accusing him of pushing Europe toward war with Russia. France and Britain lead a "coalition of the willing" providing military support to Ukraine and are discussing possible troop deployment as a security force if a ceasefire is reached, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rebuffed invitations to join.
France summoned Italy's ambassador following "unacceptable" comments by Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini mocking President Emmanuel Macron for supporting Ukraine, diplomatic sources said Friday. Ambassador Emanuela D'Alessandro was summoned Thursday after Salvini, whose party is a junior partner in the Italian government, said that if Macron favours sending European troops to Ukraine as a part of a security force, he can put on a helmet and "go himself".
"The ambassador was reminded that these remarks went against the climate of trust and the historical relationship between our two countries, but also against recent bilateral developments, which have highlighted strong convergences between the two countries, particularly with regard to unwavering support for Ukraine," the source said. Salvini, whose anti-migrant Lega party has been languishing in polls, had already called the French president a "madman" in March, accusing him of pushing Europe into war with Russia.
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