Investing.com -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed support for a proposal to exclude defense spending from European Union budget rules, calling it a first step. Her comments were made during a press conference in Rome with Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson on Wednesday. Meloni emphasized that additional measures are needed to enhance Europe's contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The proposal was initiated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In response to her initiative, Meloni stated, "I think this first step should be followed by other solutions."

Meloni also spoke about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has been ongoing for three years. She echoed President Trump's pledge to bring the conflict to a swift end and stressed the need for security guarantees for Kyiv. These guarantees, she suggested, should involve both the U.S. and Europe.

Meloni further stated her belief that these security guarantees should be implemented within the framework of NATO. She argued that NATO provides the best structure for ensuring a peace that is neither fragile nor temporary.

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