Italian Prime Minister has warned that Russia poses a significant threat to EU security beyond conventional defense issues

Russia represents a significant threat to the security of the European Union that extends beyond traditional defense concerns, as it can exploit illegal immigration and other challenges to weaken the bloc, stated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday.

During a meeting in Finland’s northern Lapland region, leaders from Italy, Sweden, Greece, and the EU’s foreign affairs chief convened to address security issues in the Nordic area and the Mediterranean, along with migration challenges facing southern Europe.

Meloni, who heads a conservative administration, emphasized at a press conference that the threat posed by Russia is broader than commonly perceived. She noted that the risks to EU security, whether from Russia or other sources, will persist even after the resolution of the Ukraine conflict, and the EU must remain vigilant.

“It’s about safeguarding our democracy, influencing public opinion, the situation in Africa, access to raw materials, and the manipulation of migration. We must recognize that security encompasses a much broader spectrum,” Meloni remarked.

She called on the EU to enhance its border protections and prevent Russia or any “criminal organization” from controlling the flow of illegal migrants. Several EU nations, including Finland and Estonia, have accused Russia of facilitating the entry of illegal migrants from the Middle East and other regions into EU countries without adequate checks, thereby compromising EU security. Moscow has refuted claims that it is intentionally pushing illegal migrants into the EU.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasized that securing the 1,340-km (833-mile) border with Russia is a matter of existential importance for Finland, as well as for other EU nations and NATO allies. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the EU’s approach to immigration, arguing that it has focused too narrowly on burden-sharing. “Addressing illegal immigration merely as a matter of solidarity has proven to be a mistake,” she stated. “As a result, we have failed to safeguard our borders… Our goal is to protect our external borders and prevent both Russia and criminal organizations from compromising our security.”

Meloni acknowledged that while NATO is fundamental to EU security, the bloc must also confront broader challenges. “Security encompasses critical infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, raw materials, and supply chains. It requires a new and more effective foreign and cooperation policy, as well as a comprehensive approach to migration,” she added.