China and India have a role to play in resolving this conflict, said Meloni.
Rome: Commenting on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Saturday, 07 September 2024 that India can play a role in resolving the conflict.
Giorgia Meloni made the remarks after meeting Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“China and India have a role to play in resolving this conflict. The only thing that cannot happen is to believe the conflict can be solved by abandoning Ukraine,” Meloni said after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today, Italian Government TV was cited by Reuters.
Meloni had a bilateral meeting on Saturday with Zelensky on the sidelines of the annual conference of The European House – Ambrosetti (TEHA) Forum at Cernobbio on Lake Como. She reiterated Italy’s support to Kyiv as it battles against the Russian forces of invasion, ANSA reported.
The Italian news agency cited Meloni telling reporters later that the 40-minute meeting went off well.
“If the rules of international law are discarded, crises and chaos will multiply,” Meloni told the forum as per the report in ANSA. “I have said this to my Chinese counterparts too,” the Italian PM said, according to the report.
“The only thing that cannot be done is to abandon Ukraine to its fate, Meloni said, adding, “this is the choice that Italy had made and which will not change”.
Meloni’s office in a statement also “reiterated that support for Ukraine is a top priority on the Italian G7 Presidency’s agenda and reaffirmed the ongoing commitment to Ukraine’s legitimate defence and to a just and lasting peace”.
Meloni’s remarks follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement on Thursday that India, China and Brazil could mediate in potential peace talks over Ukraine.
Addressing the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), Putin stated that leaders of India, Brazil, and China are making a sincere effort to contribute to resolving the situation in Ukraine.
(With ANI inputs)