France summoned Italy’s ambassador following comments by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini questioning President Emmanuel Macron’s support for Ukraine, diplomatic sources said Friday.
Ambassador Emanuela D’Alessandro was summoned on Thursday after Salvini said that if Macron favors sending European troops to Ukraine as a part of a security force, he can put on a helmet and “go himself.”
Salvini—leader of the right-wing Lega party—had already called the French president a “madman” in March, accusing him of pushing Europe into war with Russia.
France and Britain have led “coalition of the willing” nations, giving military support to Ukraine and discussing the possible deployment of troops as a security force if a ceasefire is reached between Russia and Ukraine.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rebuffed invitations to join.
