Zelensky says he invited Mattarella to visit Ukraine

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 10 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said he invited his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella to Ukraine after a "very positive meeting" at the presidential Quirinale Palace in Rome.
    "I had a very positive meeting with Mattarella, I told him it is time for him to come to Ukraine", the Ukrainian leader said in an interview to Rainews 24, recalling that the last time an Italian president had visited the country "was 25 years ago".
    Zelensky added that such a visit would be appropriate "especially now that we are talking about the conference for reconstruction". Rome is scheduled to host the Ukraine Recovery Conference set to take place on July 10-11 2025.
    The Ukrainian president also wrote on X that he had a "good meeting" with Mattarella.
    "I expressed gratitude for Italy's steadfast support of Ukraine and its clear and principled stance regarding just and lasting peace and the importance to work closely with international partners to achieve this goal.
    "I appreciate Italy's positive view of Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO as essential components of the broader European security system", continued the president.
    "I underscored that Ukraine's integration into existing, functioning security systems is not only the most effective solution but also the most cost-efficient for all partners.
    "Ukraine highly values Italy's unchanged position of maintaining and enforcing sanctions against Russia, which unleashed war in the centre of Europe.
    "We also discussed the sensitive issue of the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia - thousands of young lives whose futures have been shattered by Russia's war.
    "We have to restore their futures and do everything possible to ensure they, like all children, can live happily.
    "I also expressed gratitude to Italy for its care and support of Ukrainian orphans currently residing in Italy due to the Russian war.
    "Additionally, I extended an invitation to President Mattarella to visit Kyiv, and I look forward to continuing this strong partnership", he concluded. (ANSA).