Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged her office staff to get some good rest during the Christmas holidays, as next year will be tough. She noted that the past year was difficult, and the next one will be even worse.
The Italian government has made adjustments to the performance of the national anthem, removing the traditional word "Sì!" from it at the end. The changes concern the final part of the anthem "Brothers of Italy", which ended with the phrase "We are ready to die, we are ready to die, Italy calls! Yes!".
As of early December 2025, official delegations led by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy have made over 50 foreign visits. The accounting of expenses for their organization is not kept separately, and information about the preparation of visits is restricted.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni put more than 270 state gifts up for auction, including python skin shoes and an iPad from Zelenskyy. The total value of the lots is about 800,000 euros, and the sale is due to a law prohibiting keeping gifts worth more than 300 euros.
EU leaders agreed on a plan to finance Ukraine through joint borrowing after 16 hours of negotiations. Politico named Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever as the main "winners" of the summit.
EU diplomats are trying to find a compromise on financial aid to Ukraine ahead of the bloc's leaders' summit. Options being considered include a loan based on frozen Russian assets or joint EU debt.
Belgium has appealed to the EU with a proposal to activate an emergency provision for issuing joint debt to finance Ukraine's war efforts.
Orban announced that Moscow was preparing a "harsh response" to the EU's decision on the use of frozen Russian assets. He stated that he had personal communication with Vladimir Putin.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine is a “far from easy” task. She emphasized the need for a strong legal basis and avoiding open-ended commitments for countries.
European leaders, in a joint statement, agreed with Trump's peace plan for Ukraine, emphasizing the inviolability of borders. They called on Russia for negotiations and readiness for a ceasefire.
Negotiations on a peace plan for Ukraine are about to begin in Berlin. Representatives from the US, Italy, France, and other countries are present at the meeting.
Today, European leaders, including Macron and Rutte, will meet with Zelenskyy to get an update on the negotiations between Ukraine and the United States. Donald Trump is also expected to join the conversation via a phone call.
Italy, Belgium, Malta, and Bulgaria have opposed the EU's plan to transfer 210 billion euros of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. They are calling on the European Commission to consider alternative options for financial assistance, such as joint EU debt.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. They discussed defense support for Ukraine, strengthening air defense, and enhancing energy resilience, as well as further financial support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Palazzo Chigi in Rome for a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Prior to this, he met with the Pope.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Italy for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Castel Gandolfo. A meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also planned.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Rome after visits to London and Brussels. He will meet with Pope Leo XIV and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. Italy will send equipment for Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the coming days.
Tensions are rising within Italy's coalition regarding further financial and military aid to Ukraine in 2026. The League party has called for the return of frozen Russian assets, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister support aid.
Spiegel reported that the Élysée Palace, in a statement to the German publication, denied that Macron had spoken of any betrayal.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that it was premature for the country to participate in the NATO program for purchasing American weapons for Ukraine due to peace talks. This indicates a change in the strategy of Giorgia Meloni's government regarding Ukraine.
The Italian parliament unanimously approved a law on femicide, which provides for life imprisonment for the murder of a woman on the basis of gender. This decision was a response to the high-profile murder of Giulia Cecchettin, which caused mass protests and demands for changes in society.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that Donald Trump is making significant efforts to find a solution to the war in Ukraine. Stubb and Prime Minister Meloni discussed a 28-point plan with him on the sidelines of the G20 summit.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has told Ukrainian and European officials that there is little room for negotiation on a plan to end the war with Russia. The US is pressuring Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign an agreement, drafted with Moscow's help, by Thursday.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the American proposal for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. The leaders emphasized the importance of supporting negotiation processes and the desire to achieve a just peace.
Italian Defense Minister Crosetto has proposed creating a civilian-military unit of up to 5,000 people to combat hybrid warfare. This initiative aims to protect critical sectors and counter disinformation.
Libyan military official Osama Al-Masri Njim, released from prison by Italy in January, has been arrested in Tripoli. He is accused of torture and violence against prisoners, including the death of one inmate.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced the 12th package of military aid for Ukraine, which will be presented in the near future. Italy has already provided 11 aid packages worth up to 3 billion euros, including SAMP/T systems.
Slovenia has joined the PURL initiative, which allows European NATO allies to purchase American weapons for Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha noted this as leadership among partners.
Italy refused to approve the Giorgia Meloni government's project to build a bridge that was supposed to connect mainland Italy with the island of Sicily. The cost of the structure was estimated at 13.5 billion euros.
