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.
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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