Italy pledges continued support for Ukraine as war drags on

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed Italy's full support for Ukraine and called for sustained pressure on Russia ahead of the European Council. She backed the 20th EU sanctions package and urged the EU to lead a diplomatic framework and a long‑term security architecture for Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian FP‑5 “Flamingo” missiles struck a Russian military production plant in Cheboksary and a refinery in Kuibyshev, more than 900 km from the front line.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Russia is increasingly under pressure. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto warned of the war’s heavy economic cost, and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said an EU “E5” summit involving Eastern and Southern Europe will be convened in the coming weeks.