War in Ukraine among topics of talks: Italian PM Meloni travels to China

War in Ukraine among topics of talks: Italian Prime Minister Meloni travels to China Angelica Baibak

Georgia Meloni left for China/Getty Images

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has gone on a visit to China. She plans to discuss the war in Ukraine and also wants to stabilize ties with Beijing before the US elections.

As part of his working visit, Meloni plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang. In total, the Italian Prime Minister plans to work in China until July 31.

What is the purpose of Meloni's visit to China

As reported in the media, citing anonymous sources, the Italian Prime Minister plans to discuss Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as the war in the Gaza Strip, during his meeting with Xi Jinping and the Chinese Prime Minister.

Bloomberg journalists note that Meloni considers the Chinese President to be an important stakeholder in the war. The Italian Prime Minister, according to sources close to her, is inclined to believe that good relations with China will have a positive effect on the geopolitical situation if Washington under Trump's presidency reduces military support.

In addition, the media noted that since coming to power in 2022, Meloni has presented herself as a diplomat who can communicate with various leaders of this world – from Orban to Scholz. Now the Italian Prime Minister is also seeking to improve relations with China.

Meloni will need to balance this goal with the EU's tougher stance on trade toward Beijing, as well as tensions over Xi Jinping's support for Russian President Vladimir Putin's war machine, Bloomberg reports.

The publication's sources also noted that there are many disagreements between the EU, NATO, and Kiev on many issues. That is why Meloni will try to improve relations in conditions of “high geopolitical tension.”

The media also noted that Meloni's visit was due to “enormous pressure” from the United States. Therefore, the Italian Prime Minister's trip to China could demonstrate to EU countries that “expanding cooperation with Beijing outweighs the disadvantages of breaking away from it.”