As Europe faces another “whatever it takes” moment with Russia’s war in Ukraine continuing on its eastern edge, Italian Premier Mario Draghi talks with US President Joe Biden this week in Washington.

When the presidents meet on Tuesday, both Rome and Washington will underscore their long-standing alliance and common determination to assist Ukraine in defending itself against Russia’s two-month-old incursion. On the agenda are also energy, climate change, and encouraging global economic success.
Draghi is pushing for even a brief cease-fire to allow talks to resume, aware of the consequences for Italy if the conflict spills over Ukraine’s borders. Biden and his representatives have made more strident statements, implying both regime change and a desire to destabilise Russia.

These distinctions reflect not just Italy’s geographical proximity to the battle, but also its long-standing political and economic relations with Russia. Italy imports 40% of its natural gas from Russia, and economic transactions between the two countries totaled 20 billion euros last year.

“In terms of Russia, there are two currents,” Sergio Romano, a former Italian ambassador to Moscow during the Cold War, told The Associated Press. “There is the position of countries that regard the war in Ukraine as having the potential, or hope, of reducing Russian dominance. This current, I believe, is strong in the United States.

“I don’t believe this is the Italian government’s viewpoint, which has had friendly and positive relations with Russia in the past.”