United States President Joe Biden praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her support of Ukraine as the White House downplayed differences over her hard-right government’s stances on China, immigration, abortion, and LGBTQ rights.
Biden said the US and Italy were “standing strong” with Ukraine and Meloni’s government had offered “very strong support” opposing Russian atrocities during a meeting with the Italian leader on Thursday.
“And I thank the Italian people,” Biden told Meloni at the start of their talks at the Oval Office. “I want to thank them for supporting you and supporting Ukraine. It makes a big difference.”
Meloni, whose government has been cast by critics as Italy’s first far-right administration since World War II, said she was “proud” of Italy’s support for Ukraine.
“We know who our friends are in times that are tough, and I think that Western nations have shown that they can rely on each other much [more] than some have believed,” she said.
She said the two leaders discussed Italy’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but Washington’s approach was not to dictate
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