The visit to Kiev by the leaders of Italy, France and Germany represents an "historic" day for Europe, premier Mario Draghi said on Thursday, underlining Italy's support for European Union candidate status for Ukraine.
"Today is an historic day for Europe. Italy, France and Germany - three EU founder members - and Romania's president have come to Ukraine to offer their unconditional support to President (Volodymyr) Zelensky and the Ukrainian people," Draghi said.
Draghi was speaking at a joint press conference with Zelensky, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French president Emmanuel Macron and Romania's president Klaus Iohannis.
Draghi's hailed the courage of Ukrainians, calling them "a people who formed an army to repel Russia's aggression and to live in freedom".
"The key message of this visit is that Italy wants Ukraine in the EU and for it to gain candidate status. Italy will support this position at the next European Council meeting," Draghi stated.
Zelensky will "naturally" understand that the process of EU membership will require deep-seated reforms of Ukrainian society, Draghi cautioned.
