It was a diplomatic score for Meloni, who has been touted as a potential bridge-builder with the Trump administration, but so far had been unable to provide decisive breakthroughs amid increasingly strained relations with her main European partners
"I am very proud to host two of the leaders of the EU and the US to start a dialogue," Meloni told the press ahead of the trilateral meeting, while sitting at a round table with her counterparts
The Italian premier recalled that she had proposed such an initiative a month earlier in the US capital when she met President Donald Trump at the White House
"I hope that today can be a first meeting and a new beginning," Meloni said, noting that "for trade matters" the competence belonged to the EU Commission, but Rome's role was linked to "the need and the desire to promote dialogue"
Vance stressed that Meloni had become "a good friend," acknowledging her will to act as "a bridge builder between Europe and the United States," a role that both him and Trump supported
Vance also admitted that the US and the EU kept "some disagreements, as friends sometimes have, for example on tariffs, but we also have many things on which we agree"
Von der Leyen responded she hoped that, on the trade issues, the EU and the US could reach "an agreement that is good for both sides," stressing that the two partners have the largest trade exchange in the world
Addressing the Ukrainian conflict, the EU leader noted that "what unites us on Ukraine is the pursuit of a just and lasting peace," thanking the US for its strong commitment in trying to stop the war
Von der Leyen urged parties to "push things forward," adding she believed "the next week will be crucial" for Russia-Ukraine peace talks
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