Good afternoon everyone.

This was a long and fruitful discussion with President Zelensky, whom I wish to thank for his very important visit. I am really glad he is here, I am happy that, less than three months after my visit to Kyiv, he has been welcomed to Rome today with such affection and esteem, starting with President of the Republic Mattarella during their meeting this morning. 

Right from the very start of the Russian invasion, the President of the Republic has represented Italy’s very clear position in every institutional forum possible: shoulder to shoulder with our allies, supporting the Ukrainian people.

The pace we have set in relations between Italy and Ukraine testifies to our commitment and to the value we attach to this relationship that is important for our nations, but also for the international community as a whole, for the European story, and for all peoples who love freedom. 

I was in Kyiv at the end of February where, among other things, I undertook to host a conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction. We held that big conference on 26 April and it was attended by more than 600 of Italy’s best companies, to show that our nation intends to play a leading role in the efforts to rebuild Ukraine’s economy, but even more so to show that we are betting on Ukraine’s victory.  

Today, my friend Volodymyr Zelensky is here and this in turn is a sign that Ukraine is betting on a future in which Italy plays a leading role, on a common future of prosperity, as shown by the fact that Rome is the first leg of President Zelensky’s European trip. We thank him for this. Italy has demonstrated its full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity with facts; we cannot stress enough that Ukraine is the victim of a brutal and unjust aggression by the Russian Federation. This is how Italy intends to continue. 

We reiterated to President Zelensky that we will continue to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine for as long as necessary and beyond. Our nation will continue to provide assistance at both bilateral and multilateral level; we will continue to ensure our strong support for the strict application of sanctions, just as we pledge our support for peace, as long as it is a just peace.

We are not so hypocritical as to call anything that may resemble an invasion ‘peace’. No unjust peace can ever be imposed upon Ukraine, and any peace agreement will have to have the consensus of the Ukrainian people. Italy will continue to contribute to all efforts that can lead in this direction. In agreement with our main allies, we will continue to provide the necessary support, including military support, so that Ukraine can, we hope as soon as possible, arrive at the negotiating table in a solid position. 
This is important, because peace cannot be reached with any option that involves Ukraine surrendering; that would be terribly unjust, but it would also be very dangerous for peace in Europe and a very grave precedent for all the world’s nations. Peace will only be reached if and when Russia ceases hostilities and the attacks against civilian targets.

We want to take this opportunity to renew our call for Moscow to immediately stop the aggression, and to immediately withdraw troops from Ukrainian territory. We are in favour of a diplomatic solution to the conflict and we are ready to provide Kyiv with all possible assistance, when Kyiv deems the conditions are in place to start any kind of negotiation dialogue. 

We support the ten-point peace plan proposed by President Zelensky a few months ago. We recognise Ukraine’s legitimate European aspirations and we support them. Ukraine is fighting a hard battle to defend the European values of freedom and democracy. It is an outpost of security for the entire European continent and, therefore, for each of our citizens. 

This is why we chose to play a decisive role in supporting Ukraine being granted candidate status for European Union membership. We will continue to ensure our full and total support to facilitate Kyiv’s gradual integration into the European Union, including any assistance that may be required regarding the reforms necessary for this process.

We are ready to support further intensification of Ukraine’s partnership with NATO. We will talk about this at the Vilnius summit in July; it will probably be the main topic. Italy fully supports implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the agreement for the export of Ukrainian grain; this is fundamental to protect global food security. 

We are continuing to implement actions in the humanitarian sector and support programmes to restore critical infrastructure. Cooperation projects have also been launched in the healthcare sector and with regard to the protection of cultural heritage. We are working in all areas. We will continue to do so and our relationship, our friendship, which is now also personal, testifies to this and is a guarantee of it. 

The message we want to reiterate once again today is clear and simple: Ukraine’s future is a future of peace and freedom and a European future. It is a future of peace and freedom; there are no other possible solutions to this matter. I am convinced that Ukraine will win and will be reborn stronger, prouder and more prosperous than before.

Our nation came out of war many years ago. After that war, it managed to create what was called a “miracle”. I believe that, today, Ukraine can aspire to do the same thing, and we will do all we can to make it succeed.

The Ukrainian people chose to fight and they are fighting, because they believe in their future, because they want to look to that future. Together with them, we are looking beyond this conflict, beyond the enemy, beyond the invasion, beyond the injustice. The best way to look beyond is to think already now of a free and rebuilt Ukraine, because every school, every hospital, every bell tower that we rebuild together in Ukraine will form part of the foundations for the whole of Europe. 

Today, Italy is confirming that it is a solid and reliable ally, a credible nation; Rome is confirming that it is a capital of peace. We are working for peace, we are looking at President Zelensky’s commitment with hope. 

Lastly, I wish to also express the Italian Government’s support and appreciation for the commitment by Pope Francis and the Holy See. After this meeting, President Zelensky will be going to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis. We are very pleased about this initiative; we are aware of and appreciate the Holy Father’s sympathy, solidarity and strong feeling of affection for Ukraine. 

This is an important day, for this delegation and for President Zelensky, but also for us. We are therefore here to reiterate Italy’s support and to say once again: long live Ukraine, long live Italy.

[Courtesy translation]