Conference on Support for Ukraine Held in Rome

In a significant development, the conference on support for Ukraine held in Rome saw the participation of U.S. representatives for the first time, including the President's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, and Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of France joined the summit via video link. Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron called for increased pressure and new sanctions on Russia to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Participants at the conference pledged €10 million for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Prior to the summit's commencement, the President of Ukraine held meetings with the Chancellors of Germany, and the Prime Ministers of Italy, Finland, and the Netherlands.

Friedrich Merz announced that Germany is ready to purchase additional Patriot missile systems from the U.S. and supply them to Ukraine. He also mentioned that Russia must pay €500 billion in compensation to Ukraine; otherwise, it will not have access to its frozen assets.