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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Friday that Europe must be capable of defending itself if it wants to act as a major global power, emphasizing that security autonomy is essential for political freedom.
Speaking in a televised interview about the newly released U.S. national security strategy, which argues that Europe should become more self-reliant, Meloni said depending on others for security inevitably carries a cost.
She described developing autonomous defense capabilities as both “an inevitable process and an opportunity” for the European Union.
While acknowledging the financial burden, she said the outcome ultimately strengthens Europe’s political independence.
Meloni dismissed suggestions that the strategy document signals a “crack” in U.S.-EU relations, saying she agrees with some of the observations it makes about European politics.
She characterized those assessments as reflecting a long-standing reality rather than a new shift.
Addressing Italy’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, Meloni said her government has been clear from the beginning and continues to support Ukraine “in order to build peace.”
Peace, she said, can only be achieved through deterrence, not solely through good intentions.
Meloni also noted that Italy is bound by a parliamentary resolution regarding recognition of Palestine.
She said this resolution requires certain conditions, including the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from any future governance role in Gaza.
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