The Cernobbio Forum hosted theBilateral meeting expected between the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting, full of political and strategic expectations for Italy, Ukraine and the international community, is lasted about forty minutes. Meloni briefly told reporters that the meeting went “well,” before participating in a panel moderated by the director of Corriere della Sera, Luciano Fontana, on Italy’s role in the G7 and the global scenario. Zelensky also confirmed the positive outcome of the meeting with a simple “Very good.”
The two leaders have discussed the situation in Ukraine, focusing on the country's needs to deal with the winter and the ongoing Russian attacks on civilians and infrastructure. Meloni underlined Italy's support in the context of the G7 Presidency and its commitment to legitimate defense and lasting peace. The theme of reconstruction, in view of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, which will take place in Italy.
Zelensky's demands: "Do not deny us weapons"
One of the central themes that emerged from the interview was the request, now urgent, of the President Zelensky to obtain new military supplies. “We need more weapons to counter Russian air strikes,” he forcefully declared yesterday, stressing the importance of long-range missiles to adequately defend the country’s borders. Zelensky expressed frustration at the reticence of the West, including Italy, to allow the use of weapons to directly strike Russian territory, calling this policy “wrong.”
The Ukrainian leader praised the support received so far from Italy, but made it clear that even more decisive decisions are needed from European allies. “We need the determination of our partners,” he said, reiterating the need for a shared strategy that would allow Ukraine to defend itself with all possible means against “Russian air terrorism.”
Meloni: “Commitment to legitimate defense and a just peace”
Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed the Italian support for the Ukrainian cause, while maintaining a cautious line regarding the use of weapons that could directly strike Russia. In her speech at the Cernobbio Forum, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of not abandoning Ukraine, defining the conflict as an event that “is not marked” and for which Italy must continue to maintain a “serious and clear posture”.
“We cannot allow that the Russian invasion goes unpunished“, Meloni said, stressing that supporting Ukraine is not only morally right, but also in Italy's national interest. “I have also expressed this position to my Chinese counterparts. Italy is firmly committed to Don't leave Ukraine to its fate and this choice will not change,” she added. Meloni also warned to be careful of Russian propaganda, recalling that the invasion began as a lightning war and that, two years later, the Russian objective is still far away.
"I have never changed my mind about Ukraine“, Meloni said, reiterating the need to maintain a balance between military support and diplomatic efforts to achieve a “just and lasting peace”. She also mentioned the importance of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, which will be at the heart of the Ukraine Recovery Conference scheduled in Italy in 2025. “The our country will do its part also in reconstruction,” he said, highlighting Italy’s commitment not only at a military level, but also at a humanitarian and development level.
