17 hours ago
Last Updated:March 02, 2025, 21:23 IST
In the post, the Ukrainian leader emphasised that "it is important to maintain unity around Ukraine and strengthen the country's position in cooperation with the allies – the countries of Europe and the United States."
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Italy PM Georgia Meloni. (X)
Days after the extraordinary diplomatic showdown at Oval Office in Washington, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy looked to mend bridges with US President Donald Trump in a shout-out post for Italy Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.
Zelenskyy and Meloni met on Sunday on the sidelines of the Ukraine and European defence summit in London. Zelenskyy said that he had a productive meeting with Italy premier to develop a joint action plan to end the war with Russia with a just and lasting peace. The latter reiterated that Italy is with Kyiv as it fends off the Russian invasion.
In the post, the Ukrainian leader emphasised that “it is important to maintain unity around Ukraine and strengthen the country’s position in cooperation with the allies – the countries of Europe and the United States."
“I had a productive meeting with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy @GiorgiaMeloni to develop a joint action plan for ending the war with a just and lasting peace. No one other than Putin is interested in the continuation and quick return of the war. Therefore, it is important to maintain unity around Ukraine and strengthen our country’s position in cooperation with our allies – the countries of Europe and the United States. Ukraine needs peace backed by robust security guarantees. I am grateful to Italy for its continued support and partnership in bringing peace in Ukraine closer," he said in a post on X.
I had a productive meeting with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy @GiorgiaMeloni to develop a joint action plan for ending the war with a just and lasting peace.No one other than Putin is interested in the continuation and quick return of the war. Therefore, it… pic.twitter.com/3xCF7qTiCv
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 2, 2025
“The meeting provided an opportunity to reiterate Italy’s support for Ukraine and its people as well as its commitment, together with European and Western partners and the United States, to building a just and lasting peace that can ensure a future of sovereignty, security and freedom for Ukraine," Italy PM’s office said in a statement.
Europe’s Efforts To End Ongoing War
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a significant summit of European leaders in London on Sunday to find a way forward with Zelenskyy following his showdown with Trump in the Oval Office meeting
He said that Britain and France are working with Ukraine on a peace deal in a bid to end the ongoing war with Russia. Starmer said the that the deal would be presented to Trump, describing it as a step in the right direction following spat.
The British leader hoped that a European “coalition of the willing" would come together to support Kyiv, but that any ceasefire had to be underpinned by the US to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine again.
The Oval Office Showdown
What started as a courteous photo opportunity devolved into a shouting match between the two leaders, plunging the relations between the two countries to a new low.
At the oval Office meeting, Trump dressed down Zelenskyy and said that the latter is “gambling with World War Three". He further said that a truce with Russia is “fairly close" and that the deal allowing US to use Ukraine’s natural resources would be “very fair."
US Vice President JD Vance was also present at the meeting in which the Ukrainian leader sought security guarantees from the US as Donald Trump said that he is trying to bring an end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Location :London, United Kingdom (UK)
First Published:March 02, 2025, 21:23 IST
News world 'Ukraine Needs Peace': Days After Trump Spat, 'Ally' US Gets Special Mention In Zelenskyy's Meloni Shout-Out
