Meloni with Ukraine: "No to surrender and demilitarization." Tajani opens up on Palestine. And Salvini: "The EU counts for less than zero."

Meloni plays chancellor, Macron plays "spiteful," and Salvini slams it: "Von der Leyen can bring the drinks to the Putin-Trump summit. Europe counts for less than zero." The moment is perhaps fateful. Antonio Tajani rises and explains to the other European ministers, connected, that "peace is only peace with justice. Peace without justice is no peace." The prime minister reiterates to her colleagues that Ukraine must be satisfied , and also calls Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who reportedly expressed "sincere appreciation for Italy's fundamental role" and for the "humanitarian support provided thus far," as well as "for the positions taken." Tajani anticipates: "We are open to recognizing Palestine, but without any role for Hamas . Israel and Palestine must recognize each other." All is expected for Wednesday, for the scheduled phone call between Trump, von der Leyen, European leaders, and Ukrainian President Zelensky. The Germans announced: "The goal is to define a common position before the planned meeting in Alaska." The French announced yesterday: "Macron, Starmer, and Merz have taken the initiative to organize a videoconference meeting of the coalition of the Willing today." Meloni is missing from the French statement, but Palazzo Chigi is silent. The Italian Foreign Ministers (FdI) did, speaking of clumsy attempts "by Macron, who resembles a Giuseppe Conte on the twilight of his career." Tajani, who participated via video link in the meeting with his counterparts and High Commissioner Kaja Kallas, took center stage. Tajani stated, and this is the government's position, that "it is essential to demonstrate Europe's unity, as has been done in recent weeks," and that "we support Trump's efforts, and we see some progress, but we know it won't be easy."

Italy's conditions? These: sanctions against Russia, not accepting a peace without credible security guarantees for Ukraine, and "a ceasefire as a prerequisite for real negotiations." This is part of Tajani's thinking, and it's Meloni's position, especially now more than ever: favored by Trump, but equally firm in reiterating that she stands with Ukraine, with Europe. Never surrender. The idea of the Prime Minister, and of her diplomats, is that Russia cannot achieve a victory it hasn't achieved, in the last three and a half years, on the ground, and that Ukraine must continue to have its army and receive military aid. At the meeting of European ministers, Tajani reiterated that some of Moscow's demands "seem unacceptable, such as the imposition of the Russian language in occupied territories or territorial claims." Tajani's stakes also include the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, must "remain in Ukrainian hands, within a demilitarized zone." According to Meloni's "wise men," Trump will ultimately seek to expand the game beyond Ukraine, and will also seek to rebalance relations with Russia, which is being squeezed by Beijing. The belief of those who frequent Palazzo Chigi: "He will sit down with Putin but will negotiate comprehensively. Putin has an interest in ending the war, but without losing face. He wants access to the sea." Salvini? He has access to controversy. Interviewed at the Versiliana, he says that "whether Europe is present or not, at the Trump-Putin summit it counts for absolutely nothing. And this is frustrating because I would like a Europe that counts for something." Von der Leyen? "As long as she's here, worrying about selling off beaches and replacing boilers..." That's Salvini. He's in Europe but speaks against Europe, he's in government but adds that "the high cost of beaches isn't the fault of beach operators, but of salaries that aren't adequate for the cost of living." The minister who, until proven otherwise, is in charge of the economy is yours, Giorgetti. For Salvini, Europe "counts for less than zero." But how much consistency?

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