Italian PM Meloni Proposes Single European Envoy for Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed appointing a single European envoy to conduct negotiations with Russia on Ukraine-related matters. The proposal was presented during the G7 summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France, and is expected to be formally discussed at the European Union summit in Brussels, which began on June 18, 2026. Meloni argued that such a unified diplomatic approach could streamline negotiations on the conflict. The Italian leader emphasized that the designated negotiator should originate from a "medium-sized" European country rather than one of the EU's largest member states, suggesting this could enhance diplomatic leverage and provide neutral ground for discussions. The proposal reflects ongoing efforts by European leaders to develop a coherent diplomatic strategy toward Russia and the Ukraine conflict. Meloni's initiative is set to be formally considered at the EU summit, where member states will have the opportunity to debate the merits and feasibility of establishing a single negotiating position.