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Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed cautious optimism about Russia-Ukraine peace talks while emphasizing the need for enhanced bilateral relations with Türkiye during the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Antalya on Thursday.
Tajani called for "more Russian engagement" in finding a solution to the conflict in Ukraine, highlighting that any lasting resolution must include robust protections for Kyiv.
"The future of Ukraine will depend first and foremost on a just peace and on strong security guarantees, but also on reconstruction to address the devastation caused by the conflict," Tajani said in a written statement to Anadolu.
The Italian foreign minister thanked Türkiye for its ongoing mediation efforts between Moscow and Kyiv, while noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin's absence from peace talks sends a troubling message.
"In light of Ukraine's willingness, it is clear that if the meeting does not take place or does not produce concrete results, it will once again demonstrate that Russia is not seeking peace but merely trying to buy time," Tajani warned.
Italy is positioning itself as a key player in Ukraine's recovery, with Rome set to host the Ukraine Recovery Conference on July 10-11. Tajani described the upcoming summit, which will include participation from heads of government, as "crucial" in demonstrating Italy's commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Beyond the Ukraine conflict, Tajani highlighted the growing partnership between Rome and Ankara, describing the relationship as "excellent" following recent conversations between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"The fourth intergovernmental summit held in Rome on April 29 was a great success, confirming the vitality and depth of the relations between Italy and Türkiye," Tajani noted, adding that the two nations share a commitment to combating illegal immigration.
The Italian foreign minister emphasized that cooperation in trade and defense sectors would continue to strengthen, with plans to expand academic and research exchanges in the coming months. "Turkish students are a valuable asset to our university system," he added.
On the situation in Gaza, Tajani expressed Italy's "deep concern over the severe human cost being borne by the Palestinian civilian population," describing the humanitarian crisis as "unjustifiable" and calling on Israel to uphold international humanitarian law.
The Antalya meeting comes as European defense ministers are increasingly vocal about the need to boost their military capabilities. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide warned that if Putin fails to engage meaningfully, "there will be more pressure, more sanctions, and more consequences," describing the standoff as a "major transatlantic issue" rather than merely a regional conflict.
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