Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described US President Donald Trump's new national security strategy as a "wake-up call" for Europe today, reaffirming Italy's support for Ukraine and calling on Europeans to take greater responsibility for their own defense, the Paris newspaper Le Monde reported on its website.
Speaking at the annual congress of her right-wing Brothers of Italy party, the prime minister said that Washington's strategy confirms the US's intention to gradually withdraw from the European continent.
"The Americans have made it clear more clearly than ever before that they intend to withdraw from the old continent and that Europeans need to organize themselves to defend themselves," the Italian prime minister said.
"We want an Italy that is loyal to its partners, but subordinate to no one," the prime minister added.
According to her, Italy has therefore supported Ukraine from day one and will continue its support "out of a sense of justice, but above all to defend Italy's national interest and security."
Giorgia Meloni condemned the form of European dependence on Washington and rejected the image of a "useless" Europe, arguing that the continent remains a "living civilization" called to defend its freedom.
"Freedom has a price," she concluded, stating that she prefers "expensive freedom to seemingly comfortable subjugation."
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