The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Ettore Francesco Sequi, met with Ukrainian Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Defence, Mykola Tochytskyi and Denys Sharapov, respectively.
Talks mainly focused on Italy’s support to Ukraine – which has been confirmed on several occasions by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani – in its defence against Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked invasion.
Ambassador Sequi and Deputy Ministers Tochytskyi and Sharapov all condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Ambassador Sequi also mentioned the effort Italy is making to mobilise its private sector so as to mitigate the effects on the civilian population through the contributions coordinated by the Department of Civil Defence. Furthermore, Italy – along with its G7 partners – is firmly committed in favour of the reconstruction of Ukraine’s infrastructure and will offer its contribution during the conference to be held in Paris on 13 December.
Secretary-General Sequi stressed Italy’s constant and consistent support to Kyiv. The meeting testified the excellent coordination that exists between the two countries within the context of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (so-called Ramstein format).
Deputy Ministers Tochytksyi and Sharapov shared with Ambassador Sequi Kyiv’s appraisal of the possible talks. Finally, they thanked Italy for its commitment in favour of important dossiers such as the agreement on grain and the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, promoted by President Zelensky, to which Italy has allocated two million euros through the World Food Program.
