Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized - yesterday, Thursday - France and Germany, after not inviting her to the tripartite meeting that brought together French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Schultz with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Wednesday, and said that Zelensky's invitation came at an inappropriate time.
In response to a question about the validity of the visit made by the French and German economic ministers to Washington at the beginning of the week, Meloni responded upon her arrival to the European Union summit in Brussels by saying, "Yesterday (Wednesday) Zelensky's invitation seemed inappropriate, because I believe that our strength in this issue is Unit".
She added, "I understand domestic policy issues, and giving preference to local public opinions, but giving priority to these opinions at certain times may not be in favor of the cause, and it seems to me that this was the case" with Zelensky's visit to Paris on Wednesday, where he was joined by the German chancellor at the Elysee Palace.
Zelensky kicked off a surprise visit to Western Europe on Wednesday, visiting the United Kingdom and then France, where he had a late dinner with Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz before Thursday's EU summit.
But unlike last year, when then Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi worked alongside Macron and Schulz in Ukraine, Meloni was not invited.
And the Italian media reported that Meloni - who took office last October - did not accept that she was not invited to this dinner.
The relationship between the French president and the Italian prime minister is somewhat tense, as last November Paris accused Meloni's new government of breaching the bond of trust and violating international laws, by refusing to receive refugees and migrants rescued by a charity rescue ship, and the boat eventually docked in France instead.
Asked about Meloni's remarks, Macron told reporters, "I have no comment," and said he thought Wednesday's dinner was appropriate.
"As you know, Germany and France have had a special role in the Ukraine issue for 8 years," he added, referring to the joint mediation by the two countries that tried and failed to prevent conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
He said, "I wanted to receive him (President Zelensky) with Chancellor Schultz. I think we are doing our part.. I think it is up to President Zelensky also to appreciate the methods he chooses."
And he concluded, "What matters is that we all be effective and have a strategy that allows for a lasting peace, that is, a peace that respects Ukraine in its rights and borders, a peace that respects justice, taking into account the crimes that have been committed, and a peace that allows for the construction of a permanent security framework for Europe."