(MENAFN) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni renewed her government’s support for the ongoing diplomatic efforts on Ukraine following a phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the U.S.-supported peace initiative.

According to a statement from her office, "During the call, the importance of supporting the ongoing negotiation efforts was stressed, and the final objective of achieving a just and lasting peace was reaffirmed in the interest of the whole of Europe."

The statement added that Italy welcomed the emphasis on strong security assurances as part of a wider European and transatlantic stability structure, noting this aligns with long-standing Italian positions.

Reports on the draft plan describe terms that would require Ukraine to abandon its NATO ambitions, accept Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk as effectively under Russian control, and withdraw forces to establish a demilitarized zone in the Donbas region — steps that would be paired with security guarantees modeled on the alliance’s collective defense principles.

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