Milan, 23 August (LaPresse) – The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had two telephone conversations today ahead of tomorrow's videoconference with G7 ministers on 24 August, the day Ukraine commemorates its 1991 declaration of independence from the USSR. With French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul, the head of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs ‘confirmed the support of the Rome government for the process that should lead to political and diplomatic negotiations for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,’ the Foreign Ministry said. According to Tajani, the Foreign Ministry added, “coordination with Germany and France within the EU is crucial to move swiftly towards defining the security guarantees to be offered to Ukraine in order to reach a peace agreement”. Minister Tajani ‘also confirmed to his colleagues the Italian government's view that a truce must be reached urgently in Gaza, with the release of Israeli hostages and immediate food and medical aid to the Palestinian population,’ the Foreign Ministry reported, adding that ‘Minister Tajani shared with his French and German counterparts the view that new settlements in the West Bank are a serious obstacle to peace, which Israel must instead help to build.’