Phone Call Between Salvini and Vance: The League Focuses on Peace and Italy-USA Cooperation

A A fifteen-minute phone call between Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has ignited Italian political debate. The telephone meeting took place at a key moment in relations between the United States and Europe, with Salvini who stressed the need to work for peace and disarmament, rather than for an increase in spending military.

This conversation takes place in a delicate geopolitical context, with the ongoing war in Ukraine and the need for European leaders to balance relations with Washington without compromising the internal stability of the European Union. Salvini's position contrasts with that of other European leaders in favor of a military buildup to counter possible future threats.

Salvini: “The issue is peace, not rearmament”

During his speech at the League demonstration in the City of Science, Salvini reiterated his position against the increase in European military spending. "I spoke for a quarter of an hour with Vance. Trump is talking to Putin, to Zelensky, delegations are meeting, they are talking about a truce, a ceasefire, disarmament. And while Trump and Putin are talking about how to keep the missiles on the ground, others are talking about a European army, about spending 800 billion euros to buy weapons. Talking about a European army and spending 800 billion euros on armaments is madness. We must work for peace, not for rearmament“, he said. The League leader also criticized the idea that EU leaders can make decisions that impact citizens' lives without considering the real consequences.

The content of the interview with Vance

According to the League's statement, the phone call was “extremely cordial and concrete”. Among the topics covered:

• Peace in UkraineSalvini and Vance expressed total agreement on the need for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict.
• Economic cooperation: Salvini has announced his intention to organize a mission to the USA with Italian companies, to strengthen the economic partnership between the two countries.
• Illegal immigration: both stressed the importance of countering the phenomenon with common policies.
• Italian and American Excellences: Salvini recognized the value of US innovation in satellite telecommunications, while promoting Italian road and rail infrastructure as a reference model.
• Olympics Milano-Cortina 2026: in a climate of harmony, Salvini invited Vance to participate in the event.

Vance's post on X and the response of Italian politics

Il US Vice President confirmed the phone call with a post on X, defining it “a nice conversation with my friend Matteo Salvini” and thanking him for the welcome given to his wife Usha during her recent visit to Italy for the Special Olympics in Turin. Vance also expressed his desire to visit the country soon.

In the Italian political context, theSalvini's initiative did not go unnoticed. Some observers have speculated tensions with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, also engaged in relations with the Trump administration. However, Salvini categorically denied these reconstructions"They won't make me fight with Giorgia, surreal background".

Meloni and the Italian strategy on duties and European defense

While Salvini works to strengthen the axis with the United States, Prime Minister Meloni is developing a strategy to balance economic relations with Washington, especially regarding trade tariffs. On the subject of European defense, Meloni maintained a cautious position, avoiding fully embracing the 800 billion plan to strengthen the European army.

Italy, in fact, finds itself in a delicate position: on the one hand, must ensure its commitment to NATO and European security; on the other hand, it seeks to avoid excessive spending that could impact the national budget and internal economic priorities.

The phone call between Matteo Salvini and JD Vance represents a further step in the relations between Italy and the United States. While Salvini focuses on economic cooperation and disarmament, Italian politics continues to question itself on future strategic choices in terms of defense and international trade. It remains to be seen how relations between Rome and Washington will evolve in the coming months, pending Salvini's possible mission to the United States and the possible meeting between Meloni and Donald Trump at the White House.