Ukraine at centre of Meloni meeting with NATO's Rutte

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 5 - Premier Giorgia Meloni said the issue of support for Ukraine as it fights the Russian forces of invasion was at the centre of talks she had with new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Rome on Tuesday.
    "The common goal remains to build the best possible conditions for a just peace and coordinating the role NATO can and must exercise in this regard to help Ukraine look forward," Meloni told a joint news conference with Rutte.
    Italy has been a staunch supporter of Kyiv since the Russian invasion both under Meloni and her predecessor Mario Draghi.
    "Italy has always done its part from this point of view," the premier continued.
    "We have got a new military aid package focusing, as always, on anti-aircraft defence systems, which means, above all, defending the civilian population.
    "Italy continues to give this net support at 360 degrees, going from the humanitarian point of view as far as reconstruction".
    Meloni added that Italy played a "fundamental role within the Atlantic alliance" and is a "leader in the quality and quantity of our action.
    "We are the top contributor in absolute terms to the (NATO) missions and therefore also to the NATO budget," she said.
    "Our efforts are articulated along the eastern flank (of the alliance) but also with naval resources in the Mediterranean and our historic commitment to the Balkan region which is crucial for Italy".
    Rutte thanked Meloni for her leadership on Ukraine and pointed out that all the members of the alliance, Italy included, have committed to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP. (ANSA).