Italy intends to sign a trilateral agreement with Ukraine and UNESCO for the restoration of Odesa and the Transfiguration Cathedral, which was heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike last year, states Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
"On May 15 we will sign off on a deal with Kyiv and UNESCO here in Rome for the reconstruction of Odesa and its cathedral," Tajani said during a session of questions in the lower house of parliament.
It is noted that in February, Italy, and UNESCO already signed an agreement in Kyiv to allocate 500 million euros for the restoration of the roof of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa.
"As the G7 presidency, we continue to work for a just peace," Tajani told lawmakers, adding that supporting Ukraine's energy system is also a priority for Italy at the helm of the G7.
Attack on the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa
During the night of July 23-24 last year, the Russian army launched a missile strike on the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa. The attack significantly damaged the roof and walls of the cathedral, with an enemy missile hitting the central altar.
Earlier, Italy had expressed readiness to participate in the restoration of the cathedral. Shortly thereafter, in October 2023, Italy and Ukraine signed an agreement for the reconstruction of the Transfiguration Cathedral.
For more information about the cathedral and its significance, you can read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
