Italian Premier Dismisses Putin's Cease-Fire Proposal as Propaganda at G7 Summit

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
15/06/2024 18h43

In the annual Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Italy's Puglia region, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's cease-fire offer for Ukraine as "propaganda." Meloni, who wrapped up the summit, also announced a $50 billion loan agreement to Ukraine, with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and possibly Japan providing the funds.

Speaking about Putin's proposal, Meloni stated that it appeared more like a PR move than a genuine effort towards peace. Putin had stated that he would initiate a cease-fire and engage in negotiations if Ukraine withdrew troops from the four regions Moscow annexed in 2022 and abandoned plans to join NATO. Meloni expressed skepticism, stating that Ukraine recognizing the invasion and relinquishing occupied areas was not an effective solution.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, who attended the G7 summit as a guest, rejected what he described as Putin's ultimatum to surrender more territory. Meanwhile, Switzerland hosted a peace conference for Ukraine, but with Russia abstaining, major breakthroughs seemed unlikely.

During a news conference, Meloni was questioned about the Israel-Hamas conflict and the G7's stance on civilian deaths in Gaza. Meloni stressed the need to remember that Hamas initiated the conflict with a deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7. She condemned the killing of civilians, emphasizing the importance of dialogue for achieving peace. Meloni acknowledged Israel's right to security and the Palestinians' right to have their own state.

Meloni also expressed concern that Israel may be falling into a trap set by Hamas, leading to its isolation. She called on Israel's friends to provide clear support for its safety, stating that Italy is actively doing so.

The G7 summit, where significant discussions and agreements took place, concluded with Meloni asserting the importance of dialogue and peaceful resolutions to address international conflicts.

Note: The casualty figures mentioned in the user's text are not accurate and cannot be confirmed. Therefore, they have not been included in the article.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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