As part of his mission to Kyiv to attend the extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, had a bilateral meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
During the meeting, Tajani mentioned the strong and deep friendship between Italy and Ukraine, and confirmed Italy’s full and unwavering support to the Ukrainian authorities, particularly with regard to the country’s legitimate defence and future reconstruction.
“I have assured President Zelensky that Italy will continue to stand by the Ukrainian people until a just peace is achieved, which, as we have always said, means freedom for Ukraine”, commented Tajani, adding that “Italy supports the 10-point Peace Plan put forward by President Zelensky and will continue to engage in dialogue with global partners and interlocutors, including China, for its implementation”.
Assuring that Italy will continue to give Ukraine the highest priority during its G7 Presidency in 2024 and in 2025, when Italy will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed “Italy’s desire to stand by its Ukrainian friends also during the reconstruction process, in which Italy is already playing a leading role, including in Odessa”.
During the meeting, President Zelensky honoured Tajani with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, a token of Kyiv’s high regard for the Italian Government’s role in supporting Ukraine. The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise is awarded for services to the Ukrainian state and people and for strengthening Ukraine’s international prestige.
