Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Monday said it was no big deal with Italy did not take part in Sunday’s meeting in London involving the leaders of Britain, France and Germany with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I prefer an E5 format with Italy and Poland, but there’s an E3 format that has always existed, and yesterday that format met in London,” Tajani said on the sidelines of an Italy-Norway business forum at the foreign ministry in Rome.
“That said, we continue to support Ukraine and continue to do our bit.
“We’ll also be an important part of the peace building, which isn’t easy, but we’ll be there both at the European level and as a country (on a bilateral basis)”.
German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius also stressed that Rome was not considered surplus to requirements.
“Poland and Italy are also closely involved in the process,” Kornelius told a news conference.
“There is ongoing dialogue with European partners.
“The E3 is a proven format; it has been seen in recent weeks and months that a small group can prepare for progress.
“However, this doesn’t mean that other European partners aren’t involved.
“One of the essential conditions for Germany is not to go it alone and that there is teamwork and coordination. The German government ensures this”.