Italy refuses to send troops to Ukraine before a ceasefire

The Italian authorities announced that they will not send their soldiers to Ukraine, but they may participate in providing security guarantees "from abroad" only after a ceasefire is established, according to a statement issued by the press office of the Palazzo Chigi government.

The statement came after a meeting of the leaders of the ruling coalition called by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to assess the course of negotiations regarding peace in Ukraine following recent meetings at the White House.

The statement indicated that Italy's participation in deploying multinational forces on Ukrainian territory is currently unexpected, while options for monitoring and other activities outside Ukraine are being considered after the fighting stops.

Meloni had previously clarified that security guarantees for Ukraine, similar to Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty, are the main mechanism being considered by Western allies, noting that Rome has proposed this from the beginning.

Media reports added that Italy may provide experts for mine clearance in Ukrainian territory, without sending combat troops on the ground.