Feb. 23 (UPI) — As the White House announced Friday the March 1 visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Italian government said a security agreement with Ukraine would be finalized in the coming days.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the Italian Parliament on Thursday: “I am here to inform you of the desire to continue negotiations on a cooperation, security and defense agreement. agreement with Ukrainewhich the Prime Minister will finalize in the coming days.”
On Friday, the White House said in a statement: “President Biden will welcome Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to the White House on March 1 to reaffirm the strong relationship between the United States and Italy.
“They will discuss common approaches to addressing global challenges, including their commitment to continuing to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression,” officials said in the statement.
Biden and Meloni will also discuss attempts to prevent the escalation of the war in the Middle East, the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza, developments in North Africa and coordination regarding China policy, according to the House White.
According to the official Italian news agency ANSA, the security agreement with Ukraine will reaffirm kyiv’s territorial independence while condemning Russian aggression.
Tajani said this gives a more structured shape to Italian engagement with Ukraine.
Ukraine has already concluded 10-year security agreements with Britain, France and Germany.