Premier Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shook hands and embraced on Thursday as leaders gathered for the summit photo at the European Council meeting in Brussels.
It is the first time Meloni, who was sworn in as Italy's first woman premier in October, and Zelensky have met face-to-face, although they have spoken to each other on the telephone.
Meloni and Zelensky were set to have bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit on Thursday, although sources said later in the day that the bilaterals had been scrapped due to time contraints.
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Earlier in the day Meloni said that French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to invite Zelensky to Paris before the summit was "inopportune". German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also took part in the talks with Zelensky in Paris.
Our forces "must be united" Meloni said as she arrived at the summit.
Meloni also stressed that "Italy is fully committed" to supporting Kyiv after the Russian invasion, saying "our contribution" is so comprehensive that it is "360 degrees".
"We are aware that the Ukraine conflict involves us all," she added.
"I think the best way to build an option of dialogue and peace is to maintain the forces on the field on a balanced level.
"Supporting Ukraine is the best way to reach a possible negotiation. "Rome wants to be a lead player, including in the stage of reconstruction".
Zelensky flew to Brussels together with Macron.
When asked about Meloni's comments, Macron said he did not consider Wednesday's meeting to be out of place.
"As you know, Germany and France have had a special role on the Ukraine question for eight years," he said.
"I think it's up to Zelensky to choose the format he wants (for diplomatic talks)," he added.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday that Italy is not isolated over Ukraine Macron and Scholz had talks with Zelensky in Paris on Wednesday without Meloni.
"Italy does not feel isolated at all," said Tajani after he and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto met their British counterparts, James Cleverly and Ben Wallace, in Rome.
"The premier spoke this morning and she will meet Zelensky.
"We feel we are lead players in the fight for Ukraine's independence".
He added that Italy was "not fighting against the Russian people.
"Today we didn't discuss sanctions, but the common commitment to guarantee Ukraine's independence," he said.
Meloni has said she will visit Kyiv before the first anniversary of Russia's invasion later this month.
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