Italy prepares for safe agreement with Ukraine: White House announces prime minister's visit in March.

The White House announced Friday that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (pictured during a White House meeting in July) will meet with President Joe Biden on March 1. Italy will also finalize a security agreement with Ukraine in the coming days. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the Italian parliament on Thursday, "I am here to inform you of the readiness to continue negotiations on the cooperation, security and defense agreement with Ukraine, which the prime minister will finalize in the coming days."

The White House said in a statement Friday, "President Biden will host Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House on March 1 to reaffirm the strong relationship between the United States and Italy.

According to White House officials, Biden and Meloni will also discuss attempts to prevent an escalation of armed conflict in the Middle East, humanitarian aid in Gaza, developments in North Africa and policy coordination on China.

According to Italy's state-run ANSA news agency, the security agreement with Ukraine will reaffirm its territorial independence while condemning Russian aggression. Tajani said it gives a more structured form to Italy's commitment to Ukraine. Ukraine already has 10-year security agreements with Britain, France and Germany.