Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan R. Hoffman provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper conducted a follow-up call with Italy Minister of Defense Lorenzo Guerini by phone April 23 to express solidarity with our close NATO Ally Italy, which has been hit hard by COVID19.
Secretary Esper outlined the aid package to Italy from the Department of Defense which will include logistics, humanitarian funds and personnel support.
Minister Guerini thanked the Secretary for DoD assistance received thus far and U.S. leadership on the crisis, and expressed sympathies for the impact on COVID19 on the United States. Minister Guerini noted Italy plans to provide assistance to NATO Allies, especially in sharing lessons learned.
Both ministers discussed the importance of countering Chinese and Russian disinformation campaigns and agreed to work closely as both nations confront the COVID19 pandemic together and with other Allies.