Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to participate as an observer in the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump's 'Peace Council' this week. Alongside her, Romanian President Nicușor Dan will also attend the meeting in Washington, DC. Meloni, a co-founder of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, has developed a close relationship with Trump, making her one of the European leaders with the strongest ties to the former U.S. president. She remarked that her status as an observer is a suitable solution due to the constitutional challenges associated with full membership in the council.

The 'Peace Council', chaired by Trump, was formally established in Davos in January and started with 19 member countries; since then, additional countries have joined but many invited Western nations, including Sweden, have declined to participate. This highlights a divide in international relations and suggests mixed perspectives on Trump's attempts to reforge alliances through informal networks. The council appears to be an alternative diplomatic path that some leaders are exploring amidst ongoing global tensions.

At the agenda of Thursday's meeting is the next step in the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, a key issue of international concern and a focal point likely aimed at showcasing the council's relevance in addressing significant geopolitical challenges. Meloni's involvement reflects Italy's strategic interest in supporting initiatives that align with her government's stance and ideologies, as they navigate their foreign policy within the broader context of European Union dynamics and relations with the United States.