France has summoned the Italian ambassador in protest at remarks by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
Salvini’s remarks attacking French President Emmanuel Macron over the conflict in Ukraine were seen as “unacceptable,” diplomatic sources said in Paris on Saturday.
Ambassador Emanuela D’Alessandro is to present herself at the Foreign Ministry in the French capital on Thursday.
She has been reminded that Salvini’s comments undermine the climate of trust between France and Italy.
They threaten cooperation between the neighbouring countries, “in particular with respect to unlimited support for Ukraine,” the sources said.
Salvini, head of Italy’s right-wing Lega party, earlier criticized Macron for his readiness to send troops to Ukraine following a peace agreement between Moscow and Kiev.
Speaking at an engagement in Milan, Salvini suggested that Macron should go to Ukraine himself. “You put on your helmet, your vest, your rifle and go to Ukraine,” Salvini said.
Despite offering Ukraine her strong support, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said repeatedly that Rome will not provide troops for a peacekeeping mission in the country.
Salvini is a close ally of Marine Le Pen from France’s far-right National Rally, who came second to Macron in the 2022 presidential elections.
He has repeatedly criticized Macron, using abusive language.
Meloni and Macron have also been in conflict in recent years, but have more recently attempted to show a united front on foreign policy issues.