As reported by Sky News citing its sources, Donald Trump discussed with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni the possibility of meeting with Vladimir Putin in Rome next week. If it takes place, it will happen in the Vatican, sources added.
TASS denies this information, noting that Europe "will not suit Russia as a meeting place".
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Sky News that regardless of how and where the diplomatic dialogue between Russia and Ukraine will take place, "Italy will be ready to sincerely and constructively support this process".
At the same time, according to the Rome Statute, Italy is obliged to arrest Putin upon his appearance on its territory due to the ICC warrant from March 2023, under which he is wanted for the illegal deportation of children from the territory of Ukraine to Russia.
Meanwhile, according to Bloomberg, the US and Russia are already discussing a ceasefire in Ukraine, under which the Kremlin will retain control over Crimea and Donbas, which may lead to concessions from Ukraine on the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
If agreements are reached, the US will try to convince Ukraine and Europe of the necessity to accept conditions under which Russia will take all territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including those not yet captured, in exchange for the Russian Armed Forces halting their offensive in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions.