Russia's intensifying invasion of Ukraine topped the agenda at talks in Rome on Wednesday between Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio and Vatican secretary of state Paul Gallagher, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The meeting, which can be set in the long-standing framework of bilateral relations between Italy and the Holy See, was the opportunity for a broad-ranging exchange of views on key topics on the international agenda, starting with the situation in Ukraine, the statement said.
Di Maio underlined "Italy’s firm condemnation of the Russian aggression against Ukraine," the statement continued.
Di Maio also underscored the Italian government’s "commitment to continuing on the path of effective and incisive sanctions" against Russia's government together with other member states of the European Union and our main allies and international partners," the statement underlined.
The minister "also expressed Italy’s profound solidarity with the government and people of Ukraine and its determination to help the country in humanitarian, economic, and defence terms," the statement went on.
The talks between Di Maio and Gallagher also covered regional issues including Libya, Iraq, Lebanon, and the stalled Middle East peace process, according to the statement.
Di Maio confirmed to Gallagher Italy’s support for a Libyan-led political process supported by the United Nations and leading to national polls "by ensuring the prospects of democratic elections are firmly maintained," the statement said.
Di Maio and Gallagher also looked at Iraq, Lebanon, "the hoped-for revitalisation" of talks between Israel and the Palestinians, the 16-month-old conflict between Tigrayan forces and Ethiopian government and security in Africa's volatile Sahel region, the statement added.
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