Italy won't abandon Ukraine, says PM Meloni

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said it is important to continue exerting pressure on Russia in order to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

"It is important to maintain pressure on Russia which, contrary to what the propaganda says, is bogged down in a very tough war of position at the cost of enormous sacrifices. This difficulty is the only thing that can force Moscow to an agreement [to end the war]." Meloni said on Wednesday, December 17, speaking in the Italian parliament ahead of the EU leaders' summit in Brussels.

She added that Italy does not intend to "abandon Ukraine at the most delicate moment of the last few years."

According to Meloni, the EU and the United States are not "competitors" when it comes to bringing about peace in Ukraine.

She noted that talks held this week in Berlin, involving European leaders, U.S. negotiators, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, took place in a "constructive, united climate."

As reported by CE Report, among other things, Meloni reiterated that Italy would not send any troops to Ukraine as part of a multinational force sent there if a ceasefire agreement is reached.