The meeting between Giorgia Meloni and Joe Biden at the G7 in Puglia focused on the war in Ukraine and support for Kiev. The two leaders also spoke about Gaza, and the importance of reaching a ceasefire, also with the collaboration of Hamas.
At the G7 in Puglia today Giorgia Meloni had a bilateral meeting with the President of the United States Joe Biden. The face-to-face meeting lasted just over half an hour and, according to what was reported by the respective staff, the central point of the discussion was the conflict in Ukraine. The White House stressed that the two touched on “a range of vital security, economic and regional issues.” And, again according to what was communicated by Washington, Biden “praised Prime Minister Meloni for Italy’s firm support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself from Russia’s brutal war of aggression, including the important security assistance from the Italy”.
So far the G7 debate has been partly dominated by tensions with Macron over abortion, but one of the main topics remains the military contribution to Ukraine. The first substantial agreement to arrive from the summit is precisely that on frozen Russian funds to also be used in support of Kiev. Indeed, Biden and Meloni both “welcomed the unanimous commitment of the G7 leaders of provide $50 billion in additional financial support to Ukraine using the proceeds of immobilized Russian sovereign assets.” Additionally, the two leaders “agreed to continue to pursue all available options to impose further costs on Russia and those who support the Russian war machine.”
In recent weeks, a separation had emerged between some countries – such as France, Germany and the United States – intending to authorize the Ukrainian army to use their weapons even on Russian territory, and others – such as Italy – who instead rejected this option. The topic appears not to have been touched upon directly, or at least it was not mentioned in the press releases at the end of the meeting.
Giorgia Meloni welcomes the Pope to the G7 in Puglia
Meloni and Biden spoke “of their respective efforts to strengthen each other’s economic security and respond to economic coercion,” and also “the importance of bilateral trade and investment to enhance economic prosperity.” Plus, there was a passage about “conflict in Gaza“, Palazzo Chigi announced, reiterating “the common commitment to an overall agreement for the end of hostilities, the release of the hostages and the strengthening of humanitarian support for the civilian population”. Both leaders spoke of the “urgent need to guarantee a hostage agreement and a ceasefire in Gaza”, stressing that it is important “that Hamas takes a constructive approach to this process”.
