Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has suggested that Ukraine should receive NATO-level security guarantees without officially joining the US-led military bloc. Speaking on Thursday, she dismissed the idea of deploying European peacekeeping troops, arguing for a “more durable” solution.

Meloni’s remarks come as Washington seeks a swift resolution to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Last month, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine, describing the country’s aspirations as “unrealistic.” He emphasized that any security guarantees should be supported by both European and non-European forces.

“Extending the same coverage that NATO countries have to Ukraine would certainly be a much more effective solution than entering NATO,” Meloni told reporters on the sidelines of an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels. She clarified that the approach would differ from full NATO membership but could still offer significant security assurances.

Meloni was apparently referring to extending NATO’s Article 5 protections to Ukraine without requiring formal accession to the bloc. Article 5 stipulates that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

Russia has long opposed NATO’s eastward expansion. Moscow has repeatedly stated that the bloc’s enlargement since the 1990s, including promises of eventual membership for Ukraine, contributed to the escalation of the conflict in 2022.

There have also been concerns among NATO’s European members about Washington’s future commitment. US President Donald Trump has insisted the bloc’s member states spend more of their GDP on collective defense. NBC reported earlier this week that the administration is considering adjusting the country’s engagement in NATO, potentially favoring members that meet defense spending targets.