STORY: :: 'We count on ending this war this year,' says Ukraine's foreign minister after Rome meeting
:: Andrii Sybiha, Foreign Minister of Ukraine
"[Russia is] hitting civilians, they are hitting children, they are hitting hospitals. Therefore, this war must be ended and Ukraine is ready for this. We count on ending this war this year. Therefore, it is so important to put pressure on the aggressor to achieve a ceasefire, which will open the way for further broad negotiations." // "And you know, as a minister of Ukraine, which is at war, this morning it was especially unpleasant to read public congratulations from some countries to the Russian aggressor. They publicly congratulated Russia on its national holiday, they congratulated the aggressor country. There can be no reward for aggression, there can be no reward for the aggressor country."
:: June 12, 2025
:: Rome, Italy
Attending a meeting in the Italian capital with representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, the European Union and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Sybiha said the war must end, accusing Russia of hitting civilian targets.
Sybiha also criticized countries that congratulated Russia on its national holiday, not elaborating further on which countries he was referring to.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on the occasion of Russia Day that his country supports Russians' aspirations for a brighter future, reaffirming a desire for constructive engagement in efforts to bring about peace in the war with Ukraine.
