Evidence from credible sources supports the statement as accurate. Learn more in Methodology.
Verify that the call took place and that the discussion covered the listed topics (U.S.-led negotiation efforts on Russia-Ukraine, Venezuela, counternarcotics cooperation, and Middle East security).
An official January 16, 2026 readout from the U.S. Department of State states that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani "about the ongoing U.S.-led efforts to bring a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war" and that they also "discussed Venezuela, the importance of counternarcotics cooperation and continued support of Middle East security and stability." Italian news agencies ANSA and Italpress independently report a phone call the same day between Rubio and Tajani covering Ukraine, Venezuela, Gaza/the Middle East, and other international issues, consistent with the State Department account (though they do not list every topic such as counternarcotics explicitly). No credible source contradicts the U.S. readout’s description of the subjects discussed. Verdict: True, because the statement accurately summarizes the topics listed in the official U.S. government readout of the Rubio–Tajani call and is supported, in general substance, by independent Italian reporting on the same conversation.