Italian defense minister says it’s time for diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine
The time has come for diplomacy to pave the way for peace between Russia and Ukraine, Italy’s defense minister said on Wednesday. The Ukrainian counter-offensive launched last year did not have the expected result, Guido Crosetto told the Italian Parliament, adding that the military situation had to be viewed realistically. “From this perspective, it would seem that the time is right for incisive diplomacy, alongside military support, as both sides are sending a number of important signals. » According to Guido Crosetto, Russia is increasingly showing its willingness to negotiate and safeguard its economy, while Ukraine’s position seems less intransigent than before. “All this must be taken into consideration in the context of negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and in the subsequent process of normalization of relations, not only between Russia and Ukraine, but also with Western countries”he said.
Russia said it was ready to enter into peace talks if Ukraine took into account the “new realities”, that is, if it recognized that Russia controls approximately 17.5% of Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any notion that Moscow is interested in talks, telling the magazine this month The Economist that Russia would only agree to a pause in fighting if it needed it to rebuild its army.
Guido Crosetto, a staunch Kiev supporter and member of Giorgia Meloni’s party, Fratelli d’Italia, reiterated that any peace negotiations must clearly recognize Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. “Full territorial integrity and recognized borders of Ukraine remain the goal of the entire international community”, did he declare. Italy adopted a decree allowing it to continue sending war materials to Ukraine until the end of 2024. The government of Council President Giorgia Meloni also agreed to send to Kiev more equipment to strengthen its defense.