Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a good call with Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, which was focused on Ukraine’s security and our shared efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Europe.

It was particularly meaningful to speak with my Italian colleague on Ukraine’s Independence Day — a day that reminds us of the price of freedom and the importance of standing together in its defence. 

I thanked Italy, our reliable partner and friend, for its steadfast support for Ukraine and unwavering solidarity with our people.

We discussed Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure and the Black Sea. We focused on the need to protect freedom of navigation, the operation of the Ukrainian maritime corridor and the security of Ukrainian ports, which remain essential for global food security.

I also highlighted the importance of Italy’s continued engagement in the reconstruction of Odesa and its critical civilian and economic infrastructure.

Particular attention was given to further defence assistance and the strengthening of Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. I expressed our appreciation for Italy’s support and stressed the urgency of ensuring Ukraine has the capabilities needed to protect its people and infrastructure.

Energy resilience was another important issue. With Russia continuing its systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, I thanked Italy for its assistance and stressed the importance of continued international support ahead of the coming winter.

We also touched upon Ukraine’s path towards EU membership and the need to maintain momentum in the accession process. I counted on Italy’s continued support for opening the remaining negotiating clusters and for maintaining strong sanctions pressure on Russia".