“THE UNITED STATES NEEDS EUROPE AND ITALY”
Earlier than seeing Meloni, Rubio met Italy’s International Minister Antonio Tajani, who stated he hoped the go to had helped calm tensions with america.
“I’m satisfied Europe wants America, Italy wants America, but in addition that america wants Europe and Italy,” Tajani informed reporters.
Moreover the struggle within the Gulf, Meloni additionally stated she discussed with Rubio Russia’s struggle on Ukraine and Trump’s go to to China subsequent week.
The Italians had been additionally eager for a readout on Rubio’s conferences on the Vatican. Trump’s latest assaults on Pope Leo crossed a delicate line in overwhelmingly Catholic Italy and prompted Meloni to name them “unacceptable”.
Her criticism in flip drew a pointy rebuke from Trump, who stated she lacked braveness. He subsequently threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy.
Rubio stated he did not get into specifics about US bases, saying it was a call for Trump to make.
Italy final month refused to permit US plane to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for fight operations linked to the Iran battle. Italian officers stated Washington had not sought prior authorisation from Rome for the use of the location.
Rubio didn’t point out this incident, however pointed to Spain’s resolution to not enable its bases or airspace to be used to assault Iran. He stated one of many predominant points of interest of NATO for the US was to have forces in Europe that might be swiftly deployed elsewhere.
“Now that is not the case, no less than in relation to some NATO members, that is an issue and needs to be examined,” he stated.
