Europe Divided: Meloni's Exclusion Highlights Rift Over Ukraine Ahead of Trump-Putin Call

Europe on the Brink: Macron and Meloni Clash Over Ukraine as Trump-Putin Call Looms May 19, 2025, marked a day of heightened tension in European politics. As the anticipated phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump drew closer, European leaders scrambled to coordinate their response. This coordination, however, was far from seamless, as evidenced by a significant rift between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The disagreement, sources say, centered on the level of support to be offered to Ukraine. While Macron advocated for a unified front, Meloni reportedly expressed reservations about further military involvement, a stance that reportedly angered Macron. The tension escalated to the point where Meloni was excluded from the core group of European leaders tasked with communicating with the White House. "The divisions within the EU are alarming," said a senior European diplomat who requested anonymity. "This internal conflict weakens our hand significantly as we face the upcoming Trump-Putin call." The incident underscores the fragility of unity among European powers and raises concerns about their ability to present a cohesive strategy in the face of significant geopolitical challenges. The fallout from this disagreement will undoubtedly shape the future of European foreign policy.