Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Italy's Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto to the Pentagon today to reaffirm the close cooperation between our two countries on collective defense and in coalition operations. The leaders discussed Italy's expansive contributions to international security, with Secretary Austin applauding Italy's leading role as a security provider in the Balkans, Europe's Eastern Flank, Lebanon, Iraq, and Africa – as well as Italy's newest naval deployment to the Indo-Pacific.
Both leaders reflected on the need for continued aid to Ukraine in the face of Russia's unprovoked and cruel invasion. Secretary Austin and Minister Crosetto also discussed preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius. In particular, the two leaders discussed the importance of the defense of NATO's Southern Flank and exchanged views on how Italy and the United States can further defense cooperation in the Mediterranean and Africa.