President Joe Biden on Thursday hosted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House, months after expressing skepticism as her far-right government took hold, Report informs, citing foreign media.
Biden welcomed Meloni during an Oval Office meeting, thanking her for that country’s support for Ukraine.
“As NATO allies, the transatlantic partnership is the cornerstone of our shared security, and Italian troops are playing a critical role in Europe with the Mediterranean and beyond,” he told Meloni. “Italy and the United States are also standing strong with Ukraine, and I compliment you on your very strong support in defending against Russian atrocities – and that’s what they are, it’s not just a war, Russia is committing atrocities … and I thank the Italian people, I want to thank them for supporting you in supporting Ukraine – it makes a big difference.”
US officials have been somewhat surprised by the turnabout, and suggest privately the changes amount to the moderating force of being in power, where the responsibilities of governing supplant the invective of campaigning.
John Kirby, a coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, said Biden and Meloni have a “good, productive relationship” and lauded the prime minister as a “great partner” on Ukraine.
When Biden and Meloni meet in the Oval Office Thursday afternoon, they discussed shared challenges and the ongoing war, as well as developments in North Africa, coordination on China, and Italy’s upcoming G7 presidency. Biden and Meloni have met on several occasions at international summits in the last year.
The two leaders emphasized areas of cooperation and unity in a joint statement issued after the meeting, vowing to continue supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes and to strengthening dialogue on the “opportunities and challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China.”