Premier Giorgia Meloni’s office on Monday confirmed that she had a telephone conversation late on Sunday with United States President Donald Trump, together with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ahead of the call Trump will have with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Meloni first of all reiterated Italy’s support, together with European and Western partners, for President Trump’s efforts for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, stressing the importance of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” a premier’s office statement said.

It added that “Meloni expressed her appreciation for the willingness Ukraine has once again shown with regard to dialogue, and reaffirmed the hope that Moscow will seriously engage, through direct leader-to-leader contact, in negotiations that can lead to peace”.