Merz and Meloni: We want the killing to stop

"There's no reason to talk about it at this point, we're still a long way from that point," Merz said.

"We want the guns to fall silent, the killing to stop... these are the issues we are now committed to, not some other," he added.

During the meeting at the Chigi Palace in Rome, Merz emphasized that the next step must be to define the format of peace negotiations and possible security guarantees for Ukraine.

Giorgia Meloni emphasized that Italy is ready to participate in any international format aimed at stopping the war, but warned of the danger of divisions within the West.

"The unity of the West has been our greatest strength since the beginning of the Russian invasion. At such a sensitive time, it is crucial that we put aside personal differences that could threaten that unity," Meloni said.