Salvini attacks Macron over troops for Ukraine: France summons Italian ambassador

Published on 23/08/2025 - 12:52 GMT+2

France has summoned nan Italian negotiated typical successful Paris, Emanuela D'Alessandro, "following nan unacceptable comments" made by nan Italian vice-premier and Minister of Transport, Matteo Salvini, against Emmanuel Macron for his support for sending soldiers to Ukraine.

The French Foreign Ministry's summons, reported by nan news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) and nationalist broadcaster France Inter, came conscionable hours aft statements made by nan League leader connected Thursday.

At a gathering connected Thursday, according to nan French media, nan Italian ambassador was told by nan authorities successful Paris that "these comments are contrary to nan ambiance of spot and humanities relations betwixt nan 2 countries, arsenic good arsenic caller bilateral developments that person shown beardown convergences, peculiarly regarding their unwavering support for Ukraine".

What Salvini said astir Macron connected Ukraine

The Italian vice-premier had urged nan French president successful Milanese dialect to "taches al tram", to "stick to nan tram", a colourful externality to opportunity that he would person been amended disconnected going to Ukraine alternatively of nan Italian soldiers.

"You put connected your helmet, your vest, your firearm and spell to Ukraine," Salvini had elaborated, referring to Macron, during a nationalist engagement successful nan metropolis of Milan.

The Italian curate besides erstwhile again expressed his support for nan argumentation connected Ukraine of nan United States and its president, Donald Trump.

"With his ways, which astatine times whitethorn look brusque aliases irritable, he is succeeding wherever each person failed", Salvini said, calling nan attempts of "European armies, European rearmaments, European associated debts to bargain missiles", "macronate" - successful a intelligibly derogatory way.

The precedents betwixt Salvini and Macron

The 2 leaders person often been at loggerheads astatine a region successful caller years, arsenic Salvini has held ministerial posts since 2018 and Macron has been president since 2017.

Macron has already been described by nan Italian leader, who has placed himself astatine nan helm of nan country's astir nationalist wing, arsenic a "warmonger", "bombast", "hypocrite", "chatterbox" and a "polite man who exceeds successful champagne".

In March, Salvini had this to opportunity astir nan Elysée chief's championing a communal European defence: "there will ne'er beryllium a European service commanded by that madman Macron who talks astir atomic war".