**Italian PM Calls for Urgent Summit on Ukraine**
Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has called for a summit between the US, EU, and Western allies to discuss Ukraine. This comes after a heated meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House.
**Tensions Rise Over Ukraine Talks**
The meeting between Zelensky and Trump ended without an agreement on a mineral deal. A 45-minute press briefing turned into a heated exchange over US aid to Ukraine and the conditions of a potential peace deal with Russia. This has raised concerns among European leaders that they will not have a role in negotiations between the US and Russia.
**Meloni Seeks Unity**
Meloni called for the summit to discuss how to address global challenges, starting with Ukraine. She emphasized that division among Western powers makes them weaker and favors those who seek to undermine their civilization’s principles, including freedom. Italy plans to propose the meeting to allies in the coming hours.
**European Leaders Reaffirm Support for Ukraine**
Following Zelensky’s tense meeting with Trump, European leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader.” This proposed summit comes after one convened by French President Emmanuel Macron on February 17.
**Concerns Over Exclusion from US-Russia Talks**
European allies are worried that they will be left out of negotiations between the US and Russia about ending the war in Ukraine. The talks have also sidelined Kyiv, leading to concerns among European leaders that their interests are not being represented.