Italy's Meloni says expects Trump to remain engaged with Ukraine

Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday she did not expect US President-elect Donald Trump to disengage from Ukraine after he takes power this month.

Addressing a news conference, Meloni said she believed Trump would balance diplomacy and deterrence in Ukraine, adding that she herself would support whatever Kyiv decided to do in its war with Moscow.

Trump repeatedly said on the campaign trail that he could solve the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, but he has made little progress toward that end.

Meloni has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, but is also seen as close to Trump, meeting him in Florida at the weekend.