EU leaders mend Italy-France Ukraine rift | JQJO

A diplomatic spat erupted between France and Italy after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was excluded from a meeting of European leaders coordinating with the White House on Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron accused Meloni of spreading misinformation regarding her absence, citing a focus on ceasefire discussions, not troop deployments. Meloni attributed her exclusion to her refusal to send troops to Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz intervened, aiming to mend the rift and ensure Italy's inclusion in future peace initiatives, emphasizing the need for EU unity. Meloni stressed abandoning egotism and focusing on Western unity.