(Adnkronos) – Italy’s unwavering support for Ukraine in its over-four-year-long fight to repel invader Russia and the United States and Israel’s war on Iran are at the centre of talks between foreign minister Antonio Tajani and Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on Tuesday.
The talks were set to focus on Italian support for Ukraine, an update on the ongoing negotiations mediated by the US aimed at peace with Russia, the widening Middle East conflict fuelled by the US-Israel war against Iran and support for the Gulf states, which the Ukrainian president recently visited.
The talks took place on the sidelines of an informal European Union foreign ministers’ meeting in Kiev that included sessions on ascertaining Russia’s responsibility for crimes against Ukraine; the current situation on the ground with aim of optimising Europe’s military, energy and infrastructure support; the reintegration into civilian life of Ukrainian war veterans and the role the European Union can play in fostering social and economic inclusion, especially post-conflict.
Tajani was also set to voice his support to Italians living in Ukraine during meetings organised with embassy staff in Kiev, international organisations and the local Italian business community, according to the foreign ministry.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and the EU ministers issued a joint statement vowing “our unwavering commitment to ensuring full accountability of the Russian Federation, for any violations of international law in or against Ukraine, including aggression in violation of the Charter of the United Nations.”
“We emphasise that accountability is an indispensable element of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, as well as upholding international law,” said the statement.
“In this fifth year of Russia’s war of aggression we reaffirm our continuing firm and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, the statement concluded.
