Italy wants to help in the reconstruction Ukraine, which has been devastated by Russia's "insane" war, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Wednesday.
"We are ready take part in rebuilding Ukraine, which has been destroyed by Russia's insane war," Di Maio told his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, during an in-depth phone conversation.
Relations between Italy and Ukraine "have never been stronger," Di Maio and Kuleba agreed.
In an address to the European Parliament on Tuesday, Italy's premier Mario Draghi "clearly set out Italy's position," Di Maio told Kuleba.
"We want Ukraine to join the European Union, we won't look the other way and we will continue to support you," Di Maio said.
Since Russia's offensive in Ukraine began in late February, Italy has sought peaceful resolution to the conflict and has pushed for a ceasefire, Di Maio underlined.
"We are working for peace and giving our full support to humanitarian corridors," he said.
Kuleba praised Italy for its role in the EU's stinging sanctions against Russia including its proposed oil embargo.
"I thanked @luigidimaio for Italy’s leadership on sanctions, including an oil embargo, and arms deliveries to Ukraine," Kuleba tweeted after their call.
"We discussed facilitating trade between our countries and security guarantees for Ukraine. I stressed the importance of granting Ukraine EU candidate status," the tweet added.
