Meloni meets with Zelenskyy in Rome
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Giorgia Meloni, Dec. 9 (Photo: President's Office)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Dec. 9, as part of his European diplomatic tour to coordinate support in the face of U.S. pressure to accept Moscow’s peace terms.
“We had an excellent, substantive discussion on all aspects of the diplomatic situation,” Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post.
“We appreciate that Italy is actively looking for effective ideas and mapping out steps toward peace.”
The two leaders discussed the ongoing flurry of negotiations surrounding the U.S.-backed peace plan that insists on Ukraine voluntarily ceding more territory to Russia.
Zelenskyy also updated Meloni on the work of Ukraine’s negotiating team with the United States and noted the importance of continued Italian support.
“We count heavily on Italy’s backing going forward; it means a great deal to our country,” he said.
He expressed gratitude for Italy’s assistance in helping shore up the Ukrainian power grid as it suffers under sustained Russian attacks.
“This support will directly help Ukrainian families, our people, our children and life in our cities and communities, which face constant Russian strikes,” Zelenskyy added.
Earlier in his Rome trip, Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo XIV. On Dec. 8, he held talks with Dutch PM Mark Rutte, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the status of negotiations with the United States.
Before that, Zelenskyy joined UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the U.S.-backed peace plan. Zelenskyy has said that eight controversial, overtly pro-Russian provisions were removed from the original 28-point plan, leaving 20 points. However, he added that the question of control over Donbas remains unresolved in the peace talks.
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