«A greeting and a big hug to the Venetians. After all, I too am half from Veneto ». Thus the Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, greeted journalists upon his arrival at the Dante Alighieri middle school in Sommacampagna (Verona), where the first visit to the region as premier will take place. In particular, Draghi will meet a class, 2D, who in recent weeks had sent a series of letters to Palazzo Chigi addressed to him, asking for explanations on the war. Draghi arrived at the school, welcomed by the head teacher Emanuela Antolini, by the mayor Fabrizio Bertolaso, and by the president of Veneto Luca Zaia together with local authorities. The visit of the president of the council, after a moment with the class and a meeting in the school gymnasium, involves the laying of a wreath at the Custoza Memorial, then a private visit to the Masi di Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella winery. Then speaking with the students: «Do I owe something to someone in my life for who I have become? I owe a lot to my parents, especially from a psychological and educational point of view, for the love for the job they taught me and the respect for the rules and an awareness of who you are “. And then he adds: «I had extraordinary teachings at school, at university and in my studies in America and in Italy. People don’t understand how many good teachers there are. They are those people who not only sacrifice themselves but enjoy being “with the kids,” they are the ones who give the first messages of life, they help you find awareness of yourself, “said the premier. “But the person I have to thank in the last forty-fifty years is my wife, for the ability to understand the moments … For the family, the children …”, explained the premier, asking the students to applaud her. Then the first analysis on the war in Ukraine: “Italy seeks peace for this reason I asked President Biden to call Russian President Putin”. Then he talks about the meeting with Biden at the White House and the phone call with Putin: I said to him «I’m calling you to talk about peace», and he said to me “this is not the time”. “I am calling you because I would like a ceasefire”, he replied “it is not the time”. “Maybe you two can solve the problems, why don’t you talk to Zelensky?”, He still replied “This is not the time”. I had better luck in Washington talking to President Biden, I told him that maybe Putin only wants to hear a word from him and I told him to call Putin. The suggestion was more fortunate because the day after, not him, but the American and Russian defense ministers heard from each other ».
And again: «Don’t blame the Russians, they are not guilty of what Putin is doing». Del remains, whoever attacks is always wrong. “There is a difference – says the head of the government – between those who are attacked and those who attack, we must keep this in mind. Like when someone on the street is big fat and slaps a small one. What happened – added Draghi – is that the little one is now older and “shelters” from the slaps, first of all because he was helped by his friends, but also because he fights and defends himself for a reason, freedom ». Then the premier goes back to more personal issues, clarifying with the students that “it does not make him happy to have an important position. He makes me happy to be able to do the things I have to do, to be able to change things for the better ». And again: «I was not elected but appointed. President Mattarella called me and asked me if I felt like it. I said yes. I came up with the things I needed to do. It was a very difficult time: the virus was circulating everywhere, there were many people dying, the economy was going badly. I’ve been thinking about how to deal with them. I feel the responsibility a lot. And that’s part of the seriousness. Leading a country in a difficult time is a responsibility. But responsibility is also to act, to do things. The most difficult part – underlines Mario Draghi – was the beginning, organizing a network on the national territory to vaccinate the entire population. We chose an extraordinary person like General Figliuolo but who then implemented the vaccination campaign were the local authorities, the regional presidents, like your Zaia, and you must thank him for this. Collaboration is very important ». Finally, thanks to the Italians, for their solidarity approach with those in difficulty. «They have been very good. Almost 120,000 Ukrainian refugees arrived and Italian families have opened their homes. The regions and municipalities – explains the Prime Minister – have done a lot. I am moved by what happens in schools. About 4500 unaccompanied minors arrived, all of whom were enrolled. The teachers were terrific and the guys like you were very hospitable. The Ukrainian President always thanks us ».