Security in Ukraine, EU impossible without U.S. - Tajani

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 6 - Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday said security could not be guaranteed in Ukraine and Europe without a solid transatlantic relationship and NATO and that it was impossible to achieve without the US.
    Speaking on the sidelines of a European People's Party (EPP) meeting prior to a summit of EU leaders on Ukraine and European security, Tajani said it was "absolutely impossible to think of guaranteeing the security of Ukraine and Europe without a solid transatlantic relationship and without NATO.
    "It is fundamental, and we have said this from the start, it can't be done without the US", he reiterated.
    "Having said this, it also means that we have to play our part, or spend more on our security.
    "Security is not war, it also means the security of our streets, experienced by our compatriots every day, even running risks and threats like terrorism", Tajani said on the sidelines of the event.
    Tajani, who also leads the centre-right Forza Italia (FI) party in the EPP, told reporters who had asked him whether he trusted US President Donald Trump that he "trusts everyone".
    "Trump is the President of the United States of America.
    "We are allies of the United States of America, regardless of who is president, it's not possible to be friends with the Americans based on the support for this or that party", he said, replying to a question.
    Asked whether he trusted Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajani said it depended on whether an accord was reached.
    "It's necessary to be pragmatic, it's not a matter of trust or distrust.
    "Certainly Putin did not respect international law, we will see how he behaves, if he will maintain pacts or not, we must be pragmatic and not ideological", said Tajani.
    The foreign minister also reiterated Italy would not deploy troops as part of European or NATO missions but would consider being part of a UN peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, replying to a specific question on the issue. (ANSA).