Minister Crosetto on official visit in Ukraine

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“Important, crucial meeting today with President Volodymyr Zelensky.  This meeting with the President was an emotional moment in human terms too, as much as my whole visit in Ukraine, on a day like any other, marred by bombs that, every other day, for almost three years, have been falling and targeting defenceless civilians. Over 42,000 air bombs, 12,000 drones and 1,5 million artillery projectiles hit Ukraine in 2023. The meeting was also an opportunity to reiterate Italy’s sympathy and full support to the Ukrainian people, who are defending themselves from the brutal Russian aggression, and have now been fighting for over 1,000 days to defend their territorial sovereignty. Italy with all its Allies and partners, NATO and the EU, have always been committed to achieving a just, durable peace. We continue to explore all possible diplomatic paths in all fora. However, today we also want to underscore that solutions to conflicts between nations must be based on compliance with International Law, rather than the survival of the fittest”. Thus, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto at the end of today’s visit to Ukraine.
In the margins of the meeting. President Zelensky awarded Minister Crosetto with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise medal, for his important personal contribution to strengthening cooperation between the two States and supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. 
Minister Crosetto had previously met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov. “Important, significant talks with my Ukrainian colleague, Rustem Umerov, who thanked Italy for providing decisive support to Ukraine over the last 3 years in terms of both civilian and humanitarian aid as well as military aid. Also, an important opportunity to reiterate the strong friendly bond between our countries and peoples. Our Country’s will to support the Ukrainian people and institutions remains staunch and clear. The priority for Italy, as well as NATO and the EU, is the immediate cessation of hostilities. Russian bombs must stop targeting civilians. As Italy, we have also underscored the central role of the democratic values that characterize western liberal democracies such as the respect of International Law to protect Ukraine, a nation and a people struck and wounded by a conflict they didn’t want or seek. Italy, its Government and the Ministry of Defence will continue to commit to ensuring compliance with International Law and achieving a just peace, respectful of the rights of peoples”.

In Kiev, the day started with a meeting with the Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industries, Herman Smetanin, who thanked Italy for providing aid to the legitimate defence of Ukraine and its people. “An opportunity to discuss technical collaboration also in the defence industry sector. -Minister Crosetto said- Reconstructing the country, at the end of the war, will be of the utmost importance, and Italy can contribute with all the available tools and excellences.”