Rome, 12 May (LaPresse) – "The fact that Putin and Zelensky are ready to meet is a decisive step forward, and we must encourage it in every way. But negotiations require a ceasefire that cannot last only three days. A real truce is needed. If confirmed, this is the first step towards negotiations and a goal we have been working towards for months: a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe. I would add that I am seeing signs of an initial agreement between the US and China on the issue of tariffs. Trump confirms that he is in a negotiating mode that seems to be yielding initial results." This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during an interview with Corriere della Sera. Responding to a question about the fact that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was not physically present in Kiev, the head of the Foreign Ministry said: 'Giorgia Meloni was connected via video conference, so she was there. What matters is her presence in substance. Italy, the government and the president herself are present in every aspect of the negotiations.‘ In essence, in Kiev, ’Italy was there and Italy is in Europe.‘ Italy, he explained, is ’organising a major international conference for the reconstruction of Ukraine, scheduled to take place in Rome on 10 and 11 July. Tomorrow (today, ed.) I will be in Verona for the third and final stage of preparations for the event, with 450 small and medium-sized entrepreneurs and representatives of local authorities.‘ According to Tajani, Italy ’is back in the spotlight. Our credibility at international level is high."