President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic Luigi Di Maio who is on an official visit to Ukraine.
The President briefed the Italian Foreign Minister on the security situation in Donbas and along Ukraine's borders. He stressed the importance of increasing further international pressure on Russia, which has so far withdrawn only a small part of its forces and resources from Ukraine's borders and continues to block progress in a peaceful settlement.
"I thank Italy for supporting Ukraine in many areas, first of all the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
For his part, Luigi Di Maio assured of Italy's full support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
An exchange of views took place on topical issues in the context of forthcoming international events, including the G7 and NATO summits.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project is first and foremost a security challenge for Ukraine and Europe.
"Preventing the launch of Nord Stream 2 is in the interests of Europe's energy security," he said.
Special attention during the meeting was paid to the issues of Euro-Atlantic and European integration of Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the importance for our country of obtaining a NATO Membership Action Plan and expressed hope that Italy would support Ukraine's efforts on the path to the Alliance.
The President noted that Ukraine is committed to reforms in the framework of the Association Agreement with the EU, and a clear European prospect will be an additional incentive to build a successful country.
The parties discussed the development of political dialogue at the highest level, in particular the participation of the leadership of the Italian Republic in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform and the events on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
The President praised the dynamic development of trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and Italy.
"We have significant potential to create new success stories in our relationship," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy noted that he was pleased to open the Ukrainian-Italian business forum with the participation of a number of representatives of leading Ukrainian and Italian companies together with Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba.
"We see the concrete results Italy and Ukraine have managed to achieve together, given the agreements that have been signed," Luigi Di Maio said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Foreign Minister of the Italian Republic also noted the important role played by the Ukrainian community in Italy in strengthening relations between the countries.
Luigi Di Maio thanked the President of Ukraine for providing important assistance to his country in the fight against the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the importance of interpersonal ties between the peoples of the two countries and noted the need to take measures to restore tourism.