-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, has expressed concerns that Russia is using illegal migration as a tool to destabilize the European Union, urging the bloc to enhance its border security. Speaking at a North-South security summit in Finland on December 22, Meloni emphasized the extent of the threat to EU security.
“We need to understand that the threat is much broader than we imagine,” Meloni said, addressing leaders from Italy, Greece, Sweden, and Finland. She stressed the importance of defending external borders, stating that the EU must not allow Russia or criminal organizations to undermine its security.
The issue of illegal migration has been a point of contention within the EU, with some member states, including Finland and Estonia, accusing Russia of facilitating the entry of migrants from the Middle East and other regions into the EU without proper checks.
Russia has denied such accusations, and Finland, which shares an 830-mile border with Russia, faces its own challenges in managing these migratory flows. Meanwhile, countries like Italy and Greece confront migration threats across the Mediterranean.
Meloni’s remarks highlight the diverse challenges faced by different EU member states, acknowledging that Finland’s situation—where physical barriers such as fences are effective—cannot be directly applied to countries like Italy, where migration largely occurs via sea routes.
The Italian Prime Minister also discussed broader security issues, including the protection of critical infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the control of raw materials and supply chains. She stressed that migration is a multifaceted issue that requires a unified but geographically tailored approach within the EU.
In her remarks, Meloni reflected on past EU mistakes in handling migration, particularly the approach of addressing the issue solely through solidarity-based discussions. “We failed to protect our borders,” she said, noting that migration policy must move beyond mere debates on burden-sharing.
Meloni also emphasized her efforts to collaborate with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to assist African nations in combating illegal migration to the EU.
As part of the wider security strategy, Meloni noted that while NATO remains a cornerstone of European defense, the EU must also address other pressing security concerns, including migration, to safeguard the continent’s future stability.
Earlier, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto expressed Italy’s willingness to participate in a potential future international peacekeeping mission to Ukraine. Speaking on December 12, Crosetto emphasized Italy’s readiness to contribute to peace efforts, a role the country has historically excelled in.
