Biden praised Meloni's stance on Ukraine

US President Joe Biden welcomed in Washington the unwavering support of Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni for Ukraine. The two held talks overshadowed by concerns about the future of US aid to Kiev.
Despite their political differences, the Italian leader and the veteran democrat had a heart-to-heart conversation, particularly over Meloni's strong stance on Ukraine as the country grapples with Russia's invasion, AFP reported.
"I want to thank you for Italy's unwavering support for Ukraine," Biden told Meloni in front of the fireplace in the Oval Office of the White House.
"We are protecting each other's backs, we are also protecting Ukraine's back," the president added.
Biden tried to reassure Meloni that he was calling on congressional Republicans to stop blocking $60 billion in vital US military aid to Ukraine.
The impasse has left Kiev desperately short of weapons and alarmed Washington's European allies.
This is Meloni's second visit to the White House after she went to Washington last July.
Meloni, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven (G-7), said Ukraine would be high on the agenda at the leaders' summit in Italy in June.
"We intend, above all, to reaffirm the rules-based international order protecting freedom and bringing peace to Ukraine," the prime minister said.
Meloni also "underscored the importance of continued U.S. support for Ukraine," the White House said in a statement after the meeting.
Biden joked that he played the song "Georgia on My Mind" by soul great Ray Charles for Georgia Meloni when she arrived for the talks.
Humanitarian crisis
The two leaders stressed the importance of aid to Gaza as Israel's offensive continues. Biden announced that the US will begin sending humanitarian aid to the civilian population by air.
"Addressing the humanitarian crisis is our number one priority," Meloni said, calling for a long-term solution that envisions a Palestinian state.
Italy called for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza after Israeli troops opened fire on an aid convoy, and the United States said the incident underscored the need for a temporary truce.
Meloni and Biden also discussed North Africa - the source of migrant flows to Italy - and cooperation with China, the White House said.
Italy is a staunch ally of the US in Europe and NATO in support of Kiev, despite the presence in Meloni's government of figures such as Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, until recently an avowed admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But like other US allies, it has reacted with alarm to the political chaos in Washington that has halted aid to Ukraine.
Republicans have said they won't accept aid until the president takes action to limit the flow of migrants across the US-Mexico border, but have refused to pass bills targeting that policy. The president accused them of playing political games.
The leaders of a number of key US allies have already visited or will visit the White House in the early months of 2024, an election year for Biden, as they seek to shore up Ukraine's increasingly desperate position.
"The world is watching, and that's what House Republican leaders need to understand," White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said of the meeting. /BGNES