On Thursday, Italian culture minister Dario Franceschini offered Italy's assistance in rebuilding a theater bombed earlier this week in Ukraine, The Hill reports.

"Italy is prepared to rebuild the Mariupol Theatre. The Cabinet of Ministers approved mye Cabinet of Ministers approved my proposal to offer Ukraine the resources and means necessary to rebuild it as quickly as possible. "All countries' theaters are part of humanity's #worldheritage," Franceschini tweeted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Italian official, "You set an excellent example for others to emulate." We will rebuild the country together to the last brick."

Ukrainian officials confirmed Wednesday that Russian forces struck a theater in Mariupol. Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said hundreds of civilians were hiding inside the theater and described the bombing as a "horrendous war crime."

Later that evening, US Vice President Joe Biden referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "war criminal."

On Thursday, Biden increased his criticism of Putin, branding him a "murderous dictator" and a "pure thug."

Later that day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that he believes Ukraine has committed war crimes.

"President Biden stated yesterday that he believes war crimes have been committed in Ukraine. I concur "As Blinken said.

"Targeting civilians on purpose is a war crime. After the recent devastation, I find it difficult to believe that the Russians are acting otherwise "he continued.