ISTANBUL/ROME  

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Tuesday said China could become a “key player” in helping end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

“I believe China can become, starting from the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that it always appeals to, a key player in helping identify the elements of a just peace,” Meloni told reporters as she continued her five-day trip to China.

Meloni was responding to questions on the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Italian prime minister’s comments followed her meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday in Beijing.

However, Meloni said Beijing’s economic support to Russia was an area of “great friction.”

Notably, the bilateral trade between Russia and China climbed to around $240 billion last year, according to official figures.

The Russia-Ukraine war is running through its third year since Moscow launched the war on Kyiv in February 2022.

Tens of hundreds have been killed and wounded, while millions have been displaced.

The US-led Western nations have pressed China to help end the war by influencing Moscow.

While Beijing has refused to condemn Russia over its “special military operations” in Ukraine, China has, however, called for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.

It was Meloni’s first face-to-face meeting with Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Qiang, since Rome withdrew from the Beijing-funded multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative last year.

Meloni, however, pledged to “relaunch” relations with Beijing, and the two sides signed a three-year pact to implement past and new decisions.

On tensions in the Middle East, the Italian prime minister urged Israel "not to fall into the trap of retaliation."

Meloni said she is “very worried” by the situation in Lebanon and by the risk of a regional escalation.

Urging the international community to "continue sending messages of moderation," the prime minister said China could help in these efforts, having “solid ties” with Iran, as well as Saudi Arabia.