Italian PM calls Putin’s Ukraine ceasefire ‘propaganda’

BORGO EGNAZIA, Italy (AP) — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer of a ceasefire for Ukraine as “propaganda” as she hammered out a deal of ceasefire. Group of Seven Summit which saw an agreement reached for a loan of 50 billion dollars to Ukraine.

The loan will be provided by the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and possibly Japan, Meloni said. The frozen Russian assets intended to serve as collateral are mainly in Europe, “so Europe is already contributing by identifying the guarantee mechanism,” she added.

The loan agreement was concluded on Thursday at the opening of two-day annual executive meeting of the G7 countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and United States, in the Puglia region, in southern Italy.

Asked about Putin’s ceasefire proposal, Meloni said it “seems to me more of a propaganda measure than a real measure.”

The Russian president said Friday he would “immediately” order a ceasefire in Ukraine and begin negotiations if kyiv begins withdrawing its troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and abandons its plan to join the NATO.

“If President Putin’s proposal is: we are ready to hold peace negotiations if Ukraine recognizes the invasion of Ukraine and abandons the occupied parts… that does not seem to me to be a particularly effective proposal.” , Meloni said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was one of several world leaders invited to the G7, rejected what he called an ultimatum from Putin to cede more territory.

Switzerland hosted a peace conference for Ukraine on Saturday, but with Russia remaining on the sidelines it was doubtful whether major breakthroughs could be made.

At the press conference, Meloni was asked about the war between Israel and Hamas and why the G7 had not condemned Israel for civilian deaths resulting from its conflict. offensives in Gaza.

“I think we have to remember who started all of this and it was not Israel, but someone who killed civilians, women and children,” Meloni said, referring to the attack on 7 October by Hamas in southern Israel which left around 1,200 dead. and started the war. Israel’s bombings and ground attacks in Gaza have killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities, who do not give the number of civilians and fighters.

“Now we must work for peace, which means dialogue, recognizing Israel’s right to security, to live in peace, and the right of Palestinians to have their own state in which to live in peace,” he said. she declared. “This is the only way to solve this problem, our job is to engage with everyone.”

However, she added, Israel is falling into a trap in its response to October 7.

“It looks like Israel is falling into a trap. Because Hamas’ trap was to isolate it. It seems like it’s working,” Meloni said, adding that Israel’s friends “need to say clear words to Israel, for its security… and that’s exactly what Italy is doing.”

The Italian Prime Minister also welcomed that “the G7 spoke for the first time about migratory flows and the fight against human traffickers.”

“We must guarantee everyone the right not to emigrate and leave their homes,” she said.

Known for her hard line on migration, Meloni introduced the topic as host of the summit and appeared keen to increase investment and funding for African countries to reduce migration pressure on Europe. Italy is one of the main gateways into the European Union for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

In their final summit communiqué, the G7 announced a coalition to combat migrant smuggling, noting that the seven countries would “focus on the root causes of irregular migration, efforts to improve border management and curbing transnational organized crime, as well as safe and regular pathways for migrants.” migration.”

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Becatoros reported from Bari, Italy. Associated Press writer Giada Zampano in Rome contributed to this report.