The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel:

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke via phone today with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani.  They discussed Tunisia’s political and economic challenges and the need to help the Tunisian government implement durable solutions.  The United States continues to underscore the importance of the Tunisian government quickly implementing its own economic reform program to address the country’s economic crisis and reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund.  They also discussed the continued importance of supporting Ukraine and holding Russia to account for its unprovoked war against Ukraine.