Meloni as mediator. The Prime Minister is also in the running for the post of EU envoy to Kyiv (though officials at Chigi are playing it down). Agreement with Kuwait, including on the price cap

Giorgia Meloni is also said to be on the ‘shortlist’ of potential mediators sent by the EU to negotiate with Vladimir Putin’s Russia over the war in Ukraine. At least that is what The Telegraph reported yesterday. Alongside the Prime Minister, ‘diplomatic sources’ have named Alexander Stubb, the Finnish President; Petr Pavel, the Czech President; the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen; and the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store. There is a possibility that the choice may fall on an expanded team rather than a single leader. It was the Prime Minister herself who had put forward the proposal for an EU special envoy on the Kyiv issue on several occasions, including at the last European Council, where discussions had stalled. Government sources, however, play down the list published by the British newspaper, describing it as fanciful. From the opposition, the leader of Azione, Carlo Calenda, speaking to Il Foglio, endorses the idea: “Meloni would be an excellent mediator”. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for her part, would prefer Bjoern Seibert, her head of cabinet. In the past, Mario Draghi’s name had also been put forward. The fact is that yesterday was a day of diplomatic missions for Meloni: she flew to the Gulf, to Kuwait City, for a meeting with the Emir of Kuwait, Mishal al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah. The focus was on signing an action plan and agreements on investment and defence, against the backdrop of soaring fuel prices. Q8 has agreed to extend the price cap on diesel and petrol (Eni will do so until the end of the year).

Yesterday marked Meloni’s thirteenth mission to the Gulf. The bilateral meeting with the Emir of Kuwait, Mishaal al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah, resulted in the signing of several agreements: a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the ICE Agency and the Kuwaiti Authority for the Promotion of Direct Investment. A letter of intent between Leonardo and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence. A memorandum of understanding between the Carabinieri and the Kuwait National Guard. And the adoption of an Action Plan 2027–2030 to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. While Meloni was on her overseas mission, and still on the subject of energy, Eni announced the extension until the end of the year of the price cap on diesel and petrol at Enilive stations. The Prime Minister also secured a commitment from the Kuwaiti authorities to continue applying the price cap (through the Q8 company). Today, with regard to high energy prices, will be a test of the authorities’ ability to manage public gatherings, following last week’s clashes and the entry into force of the new package on demonstrations approved by the government this week. This is particularly true in Milan, where 500 new police officers have been deployed and where the greatest tensions are feared. It is a way for Meloni to refocus on purely domestic issues. Putting aside, for now, speculation about Kyiv and the work in the Gulf.