Italy’s PM Meloni Proposes Extending NATO’s Article 5 to Ukraine Without Membership

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggested extending NATO’s Article 5 to Ukraine as a security guarantee without granting the country full membership in the alliance, according to the Financial Times on March 6.

She argued that such a move would offer “stable, lasting, and effective security” while avoiding the complexities of deploying foreign troops to enforce a ceasefire.

“Extending the same coverage that NATO countries have to Ukraine would certainly be much more effective, while being something different from NATO membership,” Meloni said. “I think that would be a stable, lasting, effective security guarantee, more than some of the proposals I’m seeing.”

A spokesperson for the Italian government, when asked about the difference between this proposal and full NATO membership, clarified that it would ensure the mutual defense clause applies to Ukraine, even if Kyiv remains outside the alliance.

Meloni also reaffirmed her opposition to deploying European troops to oversee a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, calling it “the most complex solution” and expressing skepticism about the idea.

“I continue to be very perplexed about this proposal,” she said, emphasizing that Italy would not commit troops to such a mission.

Meloni’s comments come as NATO allies continue discussions on how to bolster Ukraine’s security amid ongoing Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Previously, it was reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a shift in the United States' engagement with NATO, potentially conditioning military support on alliance members meeting a specific defense spending threshold.