Mirziyoyev welcomes Meloni’s diplomatic stance on Ukraine

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed his appreciation for the active diplomatic efforts of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni aimed at launching direct negotiations for a peaceful resolution to the situation in Ukraine. He made this statement on May 30 during the Central Asia–Italy summit in Astana.

Mirziyoyev emphasized that several pressing issues on the global agenda require close coordination and unified approaches.

“We welcome the active diplomatic efforts of the Prime Minister of Italy, the esteemed Ms. Meloni, to promptly begin direct negotiations to peacefully resolve the situation around Ukraine. I would also like to express my gratitude for your views on the Middle East issue and the prospects for cooperation with Afghanistan. Yesterday in Samarkand, we discussed these sensitive issues in detail and confirmed that our approaches are aligned,” he stated.

The Uzbek President also proposed the establishment of working mechanisms and information exchange channels among special services in a multilateral format to combat terrorism, extremism, radicalism, drug trafficking, and illegal migration.

For reference, Prime Minister Meloni continues to offer military and political support to Ukraine. Notably, she has proposed a plan to provide Ukraine with security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5, without formally granting NATO membership. This initiative is currently under discussion among European and U.S. officials. Meloni has also expressed support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s idea to hold Ukrainian-Russian peace talks mediated by the Vatican and reiterated Italy’s readiness to act as a mediator in the peace process.

President Mirziyoyev is currently taking part in the Central Asia–Italy summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. The summit is also attended by regional leaders and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The agenda includes the development of multifaceted cooperation, with a focus on the green economy, investment, innovation, science, and education.

It is worth noting that Giorgia Meloni arrived in Samarkand on an official visit on May 28. She was personally welcomed by President Mirziyoyev at Samarkand International Airport. Following her arrival, the two leaders visited Registan Square and the “Immortal City” historical and ethnographic park at the Silk Road Samarkand International Tourism Center. An official welcoming ceremony was held on May 29, followed by a bilateral meeting at the Samarkand Congress Center.