By summoning the Italian ambassador, the Élysée “did not let Salvini’s latest statement go unheeded”

“A new diplomatic front is now opening between Rome and Paris, with unpredictable consequences,” worries La Repubblica . On Thursday, August 21, the Italian ambassador to France, Emanuela D'Alessandro was summoned to the Élysée Palace amid tensions between the governments of the two countries.

The reason for this was statements by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, who was highly critical of the Franco-British proposal to send troops to maintain peace in Ukraine .

At an event in Milan on Wednesday, August 20, the Italian leader said of Emmanuel Macron: “Go ahead if you want. Put on your helmet, your jacket, your rifle, and go to Ukraine.” A mere “joke,” according to the right-wing newspaper Il Giornale . But these statements were taken very seriously by the Élysée.

“The summoning of an ambassador is a resounding act ,” writes La Stampa . “All the more so if the diplomat represents the government of a friendly and allied country. As Italy is for France.” During the interview with the Italian ambassador, she was reminded that “these comments were contrary to the climate of trust and historical relations between the two countries, as well as to recent bilateral developments that have highlighted strong convergences and