Kiyv: Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, stated on Tuesday that despite intense pressure from ongoing Russian attacks, Ukrainian forces were able to hold their positions in eastern Ukraine.
In his nightly video address, Zelensky stressed how crucial it was that the front line remained unchanged despite intense pressure on our troops. Zelensky claimed that constant assaults on Russian forces in the main battleground regions of Donetsk and Luhansk were causing "staggering losses."
The Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni visited Kiev on Tuesday, just days before the first anniversary of Russia's invasion, and stated that Rome "does not intend to waver" in its support for Ukraine.
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In a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Meloni stated, "I wanted to do it (come to Ukraine) to reiterate Italy's full support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, to reiterate that Italy does not intend to waver."
The Italian president also went to the nearby towns of Irpin and Bucha, which were devastated by Russia's failed attempt to annex Kyiv last year.
Experiencing it firsthand is different. She declared, "I will stop at nothing to tell every Italian what I have seen. Italy, a member of NATO, has helped Ukraine with money and arms and earlier this month decided to send mobile surface-to-air missile systems that it developed with France.
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Sending jets, however, is "not on the table" at the moment, according to Meloni, who added that the decision will be made "in consultation with international partners." Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has a long-standing personal relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was criticised by Zelensky for his earlier comments.
Mr. Berlusconi... I suppose his home has never been the target of daily missile attacks. And thank God his Russian partner did not ride a tank into his yard and obliterate his family and friends, Zelensky said.
Since taking office in October, Meloni has distanced herself from her more pro-Russian coalition partners while still serving as the leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party. In an effort to deflect responsibility for the war from Moscow, Berlusconi, whose Forza Italia party is the coalition's junior partner, most recently criticised Zelensky earlier this week.
In retaliation, Meloni's office emphasised its "firm and committed" support for Ukraine.
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Meanwhile, Matteo Salvini, the deputy prime minister of Italy and leader of the far-right League party, has previously expressed his admiration for Putin and even sported a T-shirt with the image of the Russian leader on it. Together with the French president Emmanuel Macron and the German chancellor Olaf Scholz, the former Italian premier Mario Draghi paid a visit to Kyiv in June 2022.