ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Thursday held separate meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, urging deeper defense cooperation, stronger EU sanctions on Russia, and renewed support for Ukraine’s post-war recovery.

Meeting with Meloni on the sideline of Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Zelenskyy praised Italy for hosting the event and called for sustained investment and strategic coordination on reconstruction, a Ukrainian presidential office said, adding that more than 500 Italian companies attended, with nearly 200 agreements worth €10 billion ($10.8 billion) expected.

“This is an important signal of trust in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said, calling for a more systematic approach to rebuilding.

Meloni, for her part, affirmed Italy’s commitment, saying: “We are signing financial guarantee instruments and direct investment deals. This is extremely important.”

Italy also pledged support for restoring Odesa’s cultural heritage and expanding its role in other recovery sectors. The two leaders discussed Ukraine’s critical air defense needs, including domestic drone interceptor production and joint defense manufacturing projects.

Meloni condemned continued Russian strikes on civilians and reaffirmed Ukraine’s role as the only side seeking genuine peace negotiations.

Zelenskyy also called for rapid approval of the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia and urged the Italian parliament to ratify the international agreement to establish a special tribunal addressing Russia’s aggression.

He appealed for increased support from Italy and the Vatican in securing the return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken by Russian forces.

Later, Zelenskyy met with Schoof on the sidelines of the conference, and welcomed the Netherlands’ new €300 million aid package for 2024–2025, focused on defense and reconstruction.

Talks centered on scaling up joint weapons production and expanding air defense capabilities in response to growing Russian missile and drone attacks. Schoof denounced Moscow’s strikes and reaffirmed Dutch solidarity.

Zelenskyy also thanked the Netherlands on X for hosting the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague and welcomed Dutch contracts with Ukrainian drone producers under the “Drone Line” initiative. He invited Schoof to visit Ukraine.