I had a good meeting with the President of Italy, Sergio 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. I underscored that Ukraine’s integration into existing, functioning security structures is not only the most effective solution but also the most cost-efficient for all partners. Ukraine highly values Italy’s unchanged position on 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.

In 2024, the @U24_gov_ua fundraising platform continued to unite people from around the world in support of Ukraine. In total, the platform raised over UAH 13 billion—a remarkable result made possible by every donation, no matter how big or small. This year, people from 137 countries supported us. Thanks to you, our defenders received air and sea drones, robotic platforms, and vehicles. Our medics got ambulances and life-saving equipment. You helped us rebuild homes, schools, bridges and shelters. You helped us save thousands of lives. You are changing the world for the better and enabling us to move forward. Thank you for supporting UNITED24. Thank you for staying with Ukraine.