Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi stated Tuesday that he helps Ukraine's bid to affix the European Union (EU), after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accepted final week that the nation wouldn't be part of NATO.

Chatting with Zelenksy throughout a video handle with the Italian parliament, Draghi complimented Ukraine's "heroism" and stated that Rome would assist Kyiv's utility to affix the 27-member bloc.

"Immediately, Ukraine doesn't simply defend itself," Draghi stated, in accordance with the Monetary Occasions. "It defends our peace, our freedom, our safety. It defends that multilateral order based mostly on guidelines and rights that we've painstakingly constructed up for the reason that struggle."

"Italy desires Ukraine to affix the EU," he added. "I wish to inform President Zelensky that Italy stands alongside Ukraine on this course of."

Draghi's assertion got here after Zelensky stated he has accepted that Ukraine wouldn't develop into a member of NATO, which was one of many calls for made by Russia earlier than it invaded. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine becoming a member of NATO would threaten its nationwide safety and result in an additional escalation of struggle.

However whereas Zelensky has acknowledged he had "cooled down" on becoming a member of NATO, he has remained steadfast in looking for admission into the EU. Ukraine first filed an utility to affix the 27-member bloc on February 28, 4 days after the Russian invasion started.

"Our aim is to be with all Europeans and, most significantly, to be equal. I am certain that is truthful. I'm certain we deserve it," he stated whereas saying the appliance. Zelensky has advocated for fast-tracking Ukraine's admittance beneath a so-called "a particular process" as a result of struggle.

Ukraine's utility acquired preliminary assist from a number of jap EU members, together with Poland and the Baltic states. Nevertheless, different European leaders have expressed skepticism in permitting Ukraine to bypass the bloc's prolonged necessities and requirements for becoming a member of.

Draghi to Zelensky
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi speaks after listening to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky throughout his digital handle to the Italian parliament in Rome on March 22. Remo Casilli/Pool by way of AP

Sometimes, a nation can solely apply to the EU as soon as it satisfies sure standards, together with having a free-market financial system and accepting all EU laws and the euro, earlier than it begins a proper framework for negotiations. As a result of quantity of EU guidelines and laws, the method typically takes a big period of time to finish. As an illustration, the EU's latest member, Croatia, joined in 2013 after practically a decade of negotiations.

On Tuesday, Draghi acknowledged that gaining EU membership is a "lengthy" journey, and provided no timeframe for when Ukraine may anticipate to achieve extra assist, in accordance with the Monetary Occasions. Nevertheless, he maintained that Italy is able to endorse the continuing effort.

Earlier on Tuesday, Zelensky urged Italy to extend sanctions towards Russia, together with an attraction for lawmakers to grab Russian oligarchs' actual property and block entry to financial institution accounts. He additionally prompt that Italy ought to halt Russian oil imports, Insider reported.

"Italian folks, now's the time to do all doable to safe peace and finish this struggle that Russia ready for a very long time. Their intention is Europe . . . destroying your values, not solely ours," Zelensky stated within the video handle.

Later this week, President Joe Biden is about to fulfill with NATO leaders and EU allies to debate additional sanctions towards Russia.

For the newest updates on the Russia-Ukraine struggle, go to Newsweek's stay weblog.

Replace 3/22/22 11:50 AM ET: This story has been up to date with extra data.