Russia's two-month-old war in Ukraine and the threat the conflict poses to global security was at the centre of phone talks on Thursday between Italy's premier, Mario Draghi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau.
"The focus was on the war in Ukraine, the coordination of key partners to address its serious consequences and the joint commitment to assist the Ukrainian people and institutions," said a statement from Draghi's office.
"The two leaders reaffirmed the excellent state of bilateral relations and the scope for further strengthening ties, with particular regard to energy and food security," the statement noted.
Draghi and Trudeau underlined "a united approach in the transatlantic context and on major international issues," the statement continued.
