Trump and Meloni made a joint statement regarding Ukraine: "The war must be ended"

Trump and Meloni made a joint statement regarding Ukraine: "The war must be ended"

As a result of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Washington to meet with United States President Donald Trump, the parties made a joint statement. In the introductory lines of the statement, it is noted that the war in Ukraine must end.

The document was published by the Italian government and the Trump administration. It emphasizes the "strengthening of the strategic US-Italy security alliance".

"The United States and Italy stress that the war in Ukraine must be concluded, and they fully support President Trump’s leadership in achieving an agreement on a ceasefire and establishing a just and lasting peace," the statement says.

The Italian government also provided a transcript of the joint briefing by Meloni and Trump, which took place immediately after the meeting. During the briefing, Ukraine was mentioned once—only by the Italian Prime Minister.

"Also in regard to Ukraine—summarizing—we have defended Ukraine’s freedom together, together we can build a just and lasting peace. We support your efforts, Donald," she said. To which Trump responded with one word, "good".

Separately, in the joint statement, the parties affirmed their "strong commitment to NATO."

"We commit to ensuring the alignment and funding of our national security and defense to meet today’s challenges and, critically, the risks of tomorrow," the document states.

The countries’ defence cooperation will be based on a "broad transatlantic supply chain."

"We are ready to further increase defense equipment and technological collaboration, including joint production and development, which strengthen the defense-industrial potential of the United States and Italy and protect it from foreign adversaries," the document states.

The statement also confirms the "joint commitment to counter illegal immigration."