Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky on Friday said he invited his Italian counterpart
Sergio Mattarella to Ukraine after a "very positive meeting" at
the presidential Quirinale Palace in Rome.
"I had a very positive meeting with Mattarella, I told him it is
time for him to come to Ukraine", the Ukrainian leader said in
an interview to Rainews 24, recalling that the last time an
Italian president had visited the country "was 25 years ago".
Zelensky added that such a visit would be appropriate
"especially now that we are talking about the conference for
reconstruction". Rome is scheduled to host the Ukraine Recovery
Conference set to take place on July 10-11 2025.
The Ukrainian president also wrote on X that he had a "good
meeting" with Mattarella.
"I expressed gratitude for Italy's steadfast support of Ukraine
and its clear and principled stance regarding just and lasting
peace and the importance to work closely with international
partners to achieve this goal.
"I appreciate Italy's positive view of Ukraine's integration
into the EU and NATO as essential components of the broader
European security system", continued the president.
"I underscored that Ukraine's integration into existing,
functioning security systems is not only the most effective
solution but also the most cost-efficient for all partners.
"Ukraine highly values Italy's unchanged position of maintaining
and enforcing sanctions against Russia, which unleashed war in
the centre of Europe.
"We also discussed the sensitive issue of the return of
Ukrainian children abducted by Russia - thousands of young lives
whose futures have been shattered by Russia's war.
"We have to restore their futures and do everything possible to
ensure they, like all children, can live happily.
"I also expressed gratitude to Italy for its care and support of
Ukrainian orphans currently residing in Italy due to the Russian
war.
"Additionally, I extended an invitation to President Mattarella
to visit Kyiv, and I look forward to continuing this strong
partnership", he concluded.
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