Draghi set to meet Biden at White House

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 10 - Premier Mario Draghi is set to meet United States President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday.
    The meeting will start at around 2 pm eastern time, or eight o'clock in the evening in Italy.
    "The meeting will focus on coordination with Allies on measures to support the Ukrainian population and to counter Russia's unjustified aggression," a premier's office statement said.
    "The two leaders will also discuss the excellent bilateral relations and underline the solidity of the transatlantic bond.
    "Cooperation in the management of global challenges will be addressed, from energy security to the fight against climate change, from economic revival to the development of transatlantic security. "The two leaders will also exchange views on regional issues and on the preparations ahead of the G7 and NATO summits in June".
    Unease at the policy of sending weapons to Ukraine to help it defend itself from Russia, meanwhile, is growing within Draghi's broad coalition government, especially from the 5-Star Movement (M5S).
    On Sunday Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said that, while Italy "must support Ukraine and its army for legitimate self defence... we cannot contemplate supplying weapons to hit Russian soil".
    The Washington Post said Tuesday the meeting between Draghi and Biden is taking place at another "whatever it takes" moment, this time for Ukraine, referring to the former European central banker's famous pledge on saving the euro. (ANSA).