Meloni says Italy is ‘firmly committed’ to NATO and Ukraine

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pledged Italy’s “strong commitment” to NATO and efforts to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, taking a firm pro-coalition stance after pro-Russian sentiment expressed by one of its ruling coalition partners.

Ms Meloni told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a meeting in her Rome office that the best way to defend European security is to stay united.

“Given the main challenges we face today, Italy strongly supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty and freedom of Ukraine,” Ms Meloni said alongside Mr Stoltenberg. “In our view, the political cohesion of the NATO allies and our full support for the cause in Ukraine is the best response that the NATO allies can offer.”

Her two main coalition allies, former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and coalition leader Matteo Salvini, were ambiguous. They also had dealings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Days before Ms Meloni was given the mandate to form a government, Mr Berlusconi boasted of reconnecting with Mr Putin, with the two exchanging wine and “sweet” banknotes as the Russian leader celebrated his 70th birthday Gift.

Responding to Mr Berlusconi’s comments, Ms Meloni warned he had no pro-Russian presence in her government.

Mr Stoltenberg thanked Ms Meloni for her commitment to date, which he said amounted to “hundreds of millions of euros” in humanitarian and financial support for Ukraine and leading NATO’s battle group in Bulgaria, among others. Alliance leadership roles.