ROME -- Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi told Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky Saturday that Italy supports cutting Russia out of the Swift international payments system as part of EU sanctions, pledging also that Rome will "supply Ukraine with assistance to defend itself," Palazzo Chigi said.

 Draghi "telephoned today the Ukrainian president ... to express to him and the Ukrainian people Italy's solidarity and closeness in the face of the attack by the Russian Federation," Palazzo Chigi, the prime minister's office, said.

  "President Zelensky confirmed the total clarification in the misunderstanding of communications that happened yesterday and thanked Draghi for his support and for the strong closeness and friendship between the two peoples," the statement said. 

 Draghi repeated to Zelensky "that Italy supports and will support fully the European Union line on sanctions on Russia, included those relating to Swift," Palazzo Chigi said. Draghi added without elaborating that Italy "will supply Ukraine with assistance to defend itself" and "the two presidents agreed to stay in close contact in the immediate future."

 Palazzzo Chigi issued the statement in denial of persistent reports that Italy, together with Germany and Hungary, opposed shutting Russia out of the Swift system, evidently out of concern that it would make it more difficult for Italy to pay for supplies of Russian gas.

 On Thursday Zelensky indicated he was irritated by Draghi apparently making an issue out of Zelensky being unable to make an earlier telephone appointment that they had arranged to have. Zelensky quipped that it was impossible to stop the war so that he could take a phone call from the Italian prime minister.

 Cyprus also gave approval to banning Russia from Swift Saturday.

 jp