US peace efforts for Ukraine should be supported, Meloni says after talks with Merz

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke on Friday with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with both leaders emphasising the need to support US efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, her office said.

In a statement, Meloni’s office said the discussion underscored the importance of backing ongoing negotiating efforts and reiterated the aim of securing a “just and lasting peace” in the interest of Europe.

The statement said that the reference to “solid security guarantees” was welcomed, while other aspects of the proposal required further review.

Washington has put forward a 28-point plan that would require Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits on its military and drop its bid to join NATO. The plan offers Kyiv “robust security guarantees”, though the details of these guarantees have not been defined.

US President Donald Trump in a radio interview on Friday said that he wants an answer from Zelenskyy on his 28-point plan by Thursday, but says an extension is possible to finalise terms.

“I’ve had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines,” Trump said in an interview on the Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio. “But Thursday is it — we think an appropriate time.”

While Zelenskyy has offered to negotiate with the U.S. and Russia, he signalled Ukraine may not get everything it wants and has to confront the possibility of losing American support if it makes a stand.

“Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest," Zelenskyy said in a recorded speech. “Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.”

“We will work calmly with America and all partners,” he said, but insisted on fair treatment.

He urged Ukrainians to “stop fighting” each other, in a possible reference to a major corruption scandal that has brought fierce criticism of the government, and said peace talks next week “will be very difficult.”

With inputs from agencies.