Meloni at the NATO summit “Sustainable commitments for Italy”. The Prime Minister meets Zelensky and European leaders

"We welcome with satisfaction the start of a ceasefire in the crisis between Israel and Iran. One issue on which we must continue to work is reaching an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue between Iran and the United States. I spoke about it with President Trump and during the plenary assembly I reiterated that the same determination is needed to reach two other ceasefires: in Ukraine, where Russia does not seem to want to make any progress, and in Gaza where the situation is unsustainable." This was stated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in a press briefing at the end of the NATO summit.

“Everyone realizes that a ceasefire in Gaza is necessary and that it is easier to achieve today. I think everyone understands that this is the moment to try to achieve it,” the prime minister added.

"This is an important summit also for the commitments that are being made. They are significant and sustainable commitments for Italy. These are necessary expenses to strengthen our defense and our security in a context that requires it, but in a dimension that allows us to make these commitments knowing that we will not divert a single euro from the other priorities of the Government for the defense and protection of Italians", he underlined in reference to the commitment to increase defense spending up to 5% of GDP.

“We brought to the summit some issues that are very important for Italy: in particular, the focus on the southern flank of the alliance, where I also tried to explain to colleagues what the threats are,” he specified. “We see a Russia that today is increasingly projecting itself into the Mediterranean, after having lost its naval projection that was given by its influence in Syria. There are many hybrid threats and many hostile actors working on the southern flank of the alliance: it is one of the issues that are closest to our hearts,” he added.

“I have heard a lot of numbers given in recent days, a bit from the press and a bit from Parliament, which seem very distant from reality. After that, we have obviously done our calculations for 2026 and we do not believe that we need to use the escape clause. Then, clearly, for the years to come, we will evaluate on the basis of what the economic situation is,” he said in response to a question about a possible recourse to the budget deviation to meet commitments on the increase in defense spending. “There is, however, an element that in my opinion is important and that especially those who deal with economics know well: clearly a significant part of these resources, if we are good, will be used to strengthen Italian companies. When that part of important resources is used to strengthen Italian companies, this creates an expansionary economic policy that produces resources. So it is a virtuous circle, if we know how to use it well,” he added.

“I am happy that the summit confirms the full support of all allies for Ukraine. We will have a meeting with President Zelensky here soon and I think this is a very important message,” she explained.

Finally, on duties, "the discussion continues to move forward. I am quite optimistic that we will be able" to reach an agreement. On the hypothesis of a 10% agreement between the United States and the European Union like the one signed between Washington and London, Meloni responded that she "quite agrees because the 10% measure was not particularly impactful for us. I also think that a decision at 10% allows us to continue working on issues that are particularly close to our hearts, even in light of some of the objections that the United States is making against us".

MEETING BETWEEN THE PRIME MINISTER, ZELENSKY AND EUROPEAN LEADERS At the end of the NATO Summit in The Hague, the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, had a meeting with the leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, with the Secretary General of NATO and with the President of Ukraine. “The meeting made it possible to deepen the ongoing efforts and support for the United States' action in favor of the ceasefire for a negotiating path that leads to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. It is necessary for Russia to demonstrate its desire to seriously engage in the talks, contrary to what it has done so far. The leaders therefore reiterated their continued support for Ukraine, its self-defense and its defense industry, even in the face of brutal Russian attacks against civilians, and to maintain pressure on Russia through new sanctions”.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).