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Dhaka, August 21, 2025 – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has postponed her planned visit to Bangladesh, scheduled for August 30, due to escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war, according to a reliable source at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two-day visit, which would have been the first by a major European Union leader since the interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus took office, was part of a broader Asian tour that included Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan, all of which have also been canceled indefinitely.
Meloni, who was invited by Chief Adviser Yunus and was expected to travel with her daughter, was set to hold a meeting with him on August 31. Preparations for the visit in Dhaka were nearly complete, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed. However, Italy’s significant role as a key NATO member in ongoing discussions between the United States and Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict prompted the cancellation. A senior diplomat noted that the Italian Embassy in Dhaka informally conveyed the decision on Thursday, citing urgent security priorities in Europe as the primary reason.
Meloni, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, has been actively involved in European efforts to address the war, including proposing a NATO-like security guarantee for Ukraine without formal membership. Her decision to prioritize these talks underscores Italy’s commitment to Western unity and its strategic role in NATO, particularly amid strained relations following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent interactions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The cancellation reflects the pressing nature of the Ukraine crisis, which has taken precedence over Meloni’s diplomatic engagements in Asia.
