Overview
- The French foreign ministry called in Ambassador Emanuela D’Alessandro and labeled Salvini’s remarks unacceptable and contrary to the climate of trust between the countries.
- Diplomatic messages stressed that his comments also ran against recent Franco‑Italian alignment, particularly their stated unconditional support for Ukraine.
- Salvini told Macron to “put on a helmet, grab a rifle and go to Ukraine” and used a Milan phrase translated as advising him to hang himself on a tram.
- Macron had signaled willingness to consider sending European troops after a negotiated peace, a stance that Salvini denounced in public remarks in Milan.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government reiterates support for Kyiv but has repeatedly ruled out contributing Italian soldiers to any potential European peace force.