The London Summit gets underway at Lancaster House, following the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who arrived shortly after Giorgia Meloni, and was welcomed with another hug by the host, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following the one last night in the Downing Street bilateral meeting.
The summit, which is held under the slogan "Securing our future", includes leaders of 16 Euro-Atlantic countries, as well as NATO and the EU, invited to attend a crucial event on Ukraine and European defense following the sensational rift between the Ukrainian president and Donald Trump in Washington.
On the sidelines of the meeting , Meloni met with Starmer and Zelensky: a meeting, a note from Palazzo Chigi reports, which "allowed us to reiterate Italy's support for Ukraine and its people and its commitment, together with European and Western partners and the United States, to build a just and lasting peace, which ensures a future of sovereignty, security and freedom for Ukraine". "I had a productive meeting with Giorgia Meloni - Zelensky said - to develop a joint action plan to end the war with a just and lasting peace. No one, apart from Putin, is interested in the continuation and rapid return of the war. Therefore, it is important to maintain unity around Ukraine and strengthen our country's position in cooperation with our allies , the countries of Europe and the United States. Ukraine needs a peace supported by solid security guarantees. I am grateful to Italy for its continued support and partnership in bringing peace in Ukraine closer".
Keir Starmer and Giorgia Meloni are in full agreement "on the importance of the transatlantic alliance" between Europe and the US in the face of "the common challenges" of the present time, according to a note released by Downing Street. The meeting is described as "warm and constructive" by London, which recalls how the leaders have reached their third face-to-face meeting since July. The common "support for Ukraine for as long as necessary" in response to the Russian invasion was also reiterated.
