(Adnkronos) – Russia’s ongoing invasion Ukraine topped the agenda during premier Giorgia Meloni’s phone calls with US president Donald Trump and with his Ukrainian and Emirati counterparts Volodymyr Zelensky and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al- Nahyan late Wednesday, Meloni’s office said in a statement.
Meloni “discussed with her interlocutors the ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire and a negotiation process that can guarantee a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, also in light of the most recent diplomatic initiatives promoted by the US,” the statement said.
Meloni’s phone talks with the US, Ukrainian and Emirati leaders came ahead of swingeing new tariffs Trump has announced will be slapped on imports from any country still trading with Russia if a ceasefire with Ukraine is not agreed on Friday.
The war in Ukraine, sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, shows no sign of abating with a gulf between Kiev and Moscow’s maximalist demands for a “final settlement” of the devastating conflict.
The Kremlin confirmed on Thursday a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin was being planned and due to take place “in the coming days” after three rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine held at Trump’s behest between May and July failed to bring the two sides any closer to peace.
Putin on Thursday described the UAE as a “suitable” venue for an upcoming meeting with Trump.
