'More like a propaganda move': Italy PM Giorgia Meloni on Putin's ceasefire offer for Ukraine

NEW DELHI: Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni brushed aside Russian President Vladimir Putin's cease-fire offer for Ukraine, labeling it as 'propaganda' at the end of a Group of Seven (G7) summit.

Putin's proposal suggested an immediate cease-fire and negotiations if Kyiv withdrew troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and abandoned plans to join NATO.

Addressing Putin's cease-fire proposal, Meloni commented, "It seems to me more like a propaganda move than a real one. If President Putin's proposal is: We are willing to have a peace negotiation if Ukraine recognises the invasion of Ukraine and gives up the occupied parts ... doesn't seem particularly effective to me as a proposal,” Meloni remarked.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was a guest at the G7, rejected what he described as an ultimatum from Putin to cede more territory.

The summit concluded with a finalised deal for a USD 50 billion loan to Ukraine, funded by the US, UK, Canada, and potentially Japan. Meloni highlighted that frozen Russian assets in Europe would serve as collateral, demonstrating Europe's role in the arrangement.

This loan agreement was reached at the onset of the G7's annual two-day meeting, which includes leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The gathering took place in Puglia, a region in southern Italy.

A peace conference for Ukraine hosted by Switzerland on Saturday faced skepticism due to Russia's absence, affecting its potential for progress.

Israel is jumping into a trap: Meloni

During a press conference, Meloni was asked about the Israel-Hamas conflict and the G7's stance on Israel's actions in Gaza leading to civilian deaths.

"I think we need to remember who started all this and it wasn't Israel, but someone who killed civilians, women and children," Meloni said, referring to the October 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel, causing about 1,200 deaths and triggering the war. Palestinian health officials reported that Israel's bombardment and ground attacks in Gaza have killed over 37,000 Palestinians, without specifying the number of civilians versus fighters.

“Now we must work for peace, which means dialogue, recognising Israel's right to be safe, to live in peace, and the right of the Palestinians to have their own state in which to live peacefully,” she stated. “It is the only way to address this problem, our job is to dialogue with everyone.”

Meloni also conveyed concerns over Israel’s response to the October 7 attacks, hinting that Israel might be falling into a trap set by Hamas. “It looks like Israel is jumping into a trap. For the trap of Hamas was to isolate it. It seems it is working,” Meloni said. She reiterated that Israel's allies 'need to give clear words to Israel, for its safety ... and this is exactly what Italy is doing.'

Meloni expressed satisfaction that the G7 finally tackled the issues of migratory flows and combating human traffickers. “We must guarantee to everyone the right not to emigrate and to leave one's home,” she said.

Known for her strong stance on migration, Meloni had proposed the topic at the summit. Her goal was to enhance investment and funding for African nations to reduce migration pressures on Europe. Italy is often a primary entry point into the European Union for people fleeing poverty and conflict from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

In their final communique, the G7 announced a coalition to fight migrant smuggling. The document stressed that the seven nations would "focus on the root causes of irregular migration, efforts to enhance border management and curb transnational organized crime, and safe and regular pathways for migration."

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