Analysts suggest that the issue is not merely a "schedule conflict," as the absence of Meloni in Rome was explained, but rather a "desire to avoid antagonizing Trump" amid her previous "strong public support for Zelensky throughout the war."
Former Italian Ambassador to NATO, Stefano Stefanini, described the current situation as an attempt to "buy time before deciding" whose side to take – Trump’s or Zelensky and Europe’s.
The publication also emphasized that Meloni is "in a particularly awkward position," considering her efforts to establish contact with Trump and her "deep friendship" with American billionaire Elon Musk, whom the Financial Times referred to as the "main financier" of the Trump administration.
The article notes that following Trump’s negative remarks about Zelensky, Meloni, as the only European leader present at Trump’s inauguration, "remained silent," while the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany defended Zelensky.
Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and former advisor to the Italian government on security policy, Beniamino Irdi, believes that Meloni is "playing it safe" because she has yet to decide which path to take. In his view, the Italian Prime Minister considers her relationships with Trump and Musk to be "more valuable" than those with her European allies.