Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a surprise visit to Mar-a-Lago to meet with President-elect Donald J. Trump for an informal discussion, as confirmed by sources close to the event.
This meeting precedes President Biden’s upcoming official visit to Italy and the Vatican, scheduled for January 9-12, where Ms. Meloni will host him in Rome.
The rapport between Ms. Meloni and Mr. Trump has been evident in the past, making her one of the first foreign leaders to visit his Florida estate since his election victory. This encounter signals a potential alliance between the conservative Italian leader and Mr. Trump in Europe.
Expected responsibilities may include mediating disputes between European leaders and Mr. Trump regarding trade conflicts with NATO countries and Ukraine’s situation against Russia.
While specific details of their meeting remain undisclosed, discussions are likely to revolve around these pressing issues.
Another crucial topic on the agenda could be the detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Iran following recent events involving an Iranian individual linked to drone components trading with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Sources suggest that Ms. Meloni was proactive in arranging this meeting, emphasizing its significance.
Maggie Haberman contributed reporting
2025-01-04 20:12:02
Article from www.nytimes.com