A new phase in the Ukraine conflict is beginning after three years of war following Russia’s invasion, Premier Giorgia Meloni said amid summits at the White House between President Donald Trump, President Volodymr Zelensky and European leaders at which security guarantees for Kyiv were agreed and an upcoming summit between Zelensky and Russian President Vladmir Putin also agreed on.

“Today a new phase begins after three years, thanks to Trump and thanks to the stalemate on the ground,” Meloni said during her meeting with Trump, Zelensky, and the British, French, German, Finnish, EU and NATO leaders at the White House.

“We will discuss guarantees to ensure this never happens again,” the Prime Minister added.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the best venue for the Putin-Zelensky talks would be Geneva.

“Geneva could be the right venue” for the Putin-Zelensky talks, said Tajani, who is also deputy premier.

“Italy is in favor of them taking place in Geneva because it is a country that has always worked to build peace.

“Rome would also have been an ideal venue, desired by the Americans, Ukrainians, and others as well, but there’s the issue of the International Criminal Court (and a warrant out on Putin for alleged war crimes, ed.), so it would have been more complicated.

“I believe Geneva could be the best venue.

Italy is in favor of it, and I will tell (Swiss foreign minister ignazio) Cassis this today.” The White House summits also showed how highly Trump rates Meloni, with whom he is on very friendly terms.

Introducing the seven European leaders to the White House, Trump called Meloni “a great leader, an inspiration to many.” “Despite her young age, she has governed for a long time, others don’t last as long as she has.

“You will govern for a long time,” the tycoon said.