Italy's Leader Calls for Talks with Russia, But No Quick G8 Return

Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, believes Europe should start talking to Russia again. She thinks this could help end the war in Ukraine. But she does not think Russia should join the G8 group of powerful countries anytime soon. Meloni agrees with France's President, Emmanuel Macron. He also wants Europe to talk to Russia. Meloni says Europe should not just talk to Ukraine. She thinks talking to both sides is better. There have been talks to end the war in Ukraine. These talks have been going on since November. But Russia has not shown it is ready to make any deals. Ukraine wants changes to a U. S. plan. This plan supports Russia's main demands.Russia has not said it will accept a peace deal. This deal would include security guarantees. Ukraine's allies, like the U. S. , want Western troops in Ukraine. But Russia has not agreed to this. Meloni thinks the European Union should have one person to talk to Russia's President, Vladimir Putin. She says too many people are talking now. This causes confusion. She thinks this helps Putin more than Europe. The U. S. suggested Russia could join the G7 group again. This would make it the G8. But Meloni says it is too early to talk about this. She also says Italy will not send troops to Ukraine. Other countries, like France and Britain, have said they might send troops after a ceasefire.