Brussels/Rome: In a bold new approach to European security, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed extending NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense protection to Ukraine—without formally granting the country full membership in the alliance. According to a report by the Financial Times on March 6, Meloni believes that this strategic move would offer Ukraine “stable, lasting, and effective security” while sidestepping the geopolitical and military complexities that come with full NATO integration.
Meloni elaborated on her vision, stating, “Extending the same coverage that NATO countries have to Ukraine would certainly be much more effective, while being something different from NATO membership”. Her government has clarified that while Ukraine would not officially join NATO, it would still benefit from collective defense protections. This means that an attack on Ukraine could potentially trigger a NATO response, similar to the alliance’s commitments to its own member states.
No Italian Troops on the Ground
Despite this bold proposal, Meloni firmly rejected the idea of deploying European troops to enforce a ceasefire in Ukraine, calling such an intervention “the most complex solution”. She emphasized that Italy would not commit its soldiers to any direct military engagement on Ukrainian soil.
Her remarks come at a crucial time, as NATO allies continue to discuss new security guarantees for Ukraine. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly been considering potential shifts in the U.S. role within NATO, including the possibility of conditioning military support on higher defense spending commitments from alliance members. This ongoing debate raises questions about NATO’s future stance and the level of collective defense it can provide to Ukraine without formal membership.
The Implications of Italy’s Proposal
Meloni’s suggestion introduces a middle-ground approach to supporting Ukraine, offering substantial security assurances without escalating tensions with Russia to the same degree that full NATO membership might. This concept echoes similar security frameworks, such as the U.S.-led security pacts with countries that are not formal treaty allies but still benefit from military assistance and strategic cooperation.
While Italy’s proposal has yet to receive an official response from NATO leadership or other key European allies, it underscores the ongoing efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s security while balancing diplomatic challenges within the alliance.
