Italy’s ambassador says Macron should “hop on a tram and go to Ukraine yourself"
Salvini had dismissed the French president’s proposal by suggesting Macron should personally take up arms. “Hop on a tram and go to Ukraine yourself… Put on a helmet, a jacket, grab a rifle, and go,” he told reporters in Milan. “If Macron wants, he can go – but I think he’ll go alone, because not even a Frenchman would follow him.”
Macron, who recently referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as “an ogre at [Europe’s] gates,” has floated the idea of a European “reassurance force” in Ukraine multiple times. He reiterated the proposal after a summit in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, and other European officials, arguing that Ukraine would eventually need “a strong army” supported by Western troops once the conflict ends.
Paris reacted strongly to Salvini’s remarks. Italian media reported that both the French Embassy and Macron’s team lodged protests on Thursday, while on Friday the French Foreign Ministry formally summoned Italian Ambassador Emanuela D’Alessandro. A French diplomatic source said, “The ambassador was reminded that these remarks went against the climate of trust and the historical relationship between our two countries.”
Salvini has long opposed Macron’s stance on the war, previously labeling him a “madman” intent on dragging Europe into a direct confrontation with Russia. He has instead praised Donald Trump’s mediation efforts, stating that the former U.S. president “is succeeding where everyone else has failed: bringing Putin and Zelensky back to the table.” Salvini also reaffirmed that no Italian soldiers would be sent to Ukraine.
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