“The cost of the Russian invasion in terms of human lives is terrible. Mass graves were found last week »also in Kiev Italy has offered support to investigate war crimes. Prime Minister Mario Draghi said this in the Senate chamber during the briefing on recent developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “The cost of the Russian invasion in terms of human lives is terrible. The reconstructions with satellite images have identified 9 thousand bodies in four mass graves around the city of Mariupol “added Draghi. The premier reiterated that Italy is in favor of Ukraine’s entry into the EU, and explained that “the expulsion of Italian diplomats from Russia is a hostile act, but despite this, a channel of dialogue with Russia must be maintained” .
Salvini’s replica
“Thanks to Draghi for words of peace, both in Washington and today in the Chamber,” Matteo Salvini replied. “Those who continue to talk about weapons are not doing the good of Ukraine and the Italian people. And if someone even in the Chamber invites us to give more weapons and the Italian workers to tighten their belts, I’m not there ».
Ukraine, Draghi in the Senate: “Achieve ceasefire as soon as possible”
“Food security threatened”
The war in Ukraine “threatens the food security of millions of people because” it adds to critical issues that have already emerged during the pandemic, “said the premier. “The reduction in cereal supplies and the increase in prices risk having disastrous effects in particular for some countries in Africa and the Middle East and the risk of humanitarian, social and political crises is growing”. President Draghi reports that he told Biden: “An initiative that unlocks millions of tons of wheat is urgently needed.”
“Immediate ceasefire”
“To prevent the humanitarian crisis from continuing to worsen, we must reach a ceasefire as soon as possible and forcefully restart the negotiations” said the premier, explaining that “Italy is convinced of the sixth package of sanctions against Russia”. Speaking of the displaced in Italy, the head of the government explained: “The number of internally displaced people has reached 7.7 million. Over 116 thousand Ukrainians arrived in Italy of which 4 thousand unaccompanied minors ». While about 14 million Ukrainians have had to leave their homes ”.
“Single diplomacy way for a negotiated solution”
«Yesterday the Russian Federation communicated the expulsion of 24 Italian diplomats: it is a hostile act that follows similar decisions taken towards other European countries and responds to expulsions of diplomats by the Italian side. It is essential to maintain channels of dialogue with the Russian Federation because it is only from these channels that a negotiation solution can emerge ». And he then added: “Italy will continue to support Ukraine” to repel the Russian invasion. If today we can talk about attempts at dialogue it is because Ukraine has managed to defend itself in recent months ».
“We will strengthen contribution to NATO”
«The deterrence activity against Russia – explained Draghi – also includes the intensification of the operations of the Atlantic Alliance. The Supreme Allied Commander has reinforced the level of response along the eastern flank, an effort to which Italy contributes 2,500 units. In the medium term, we are ready to further strengthen our contribution in Hungary and Bulgaria, with 250 and 750 respectively, in line with the action of our allies. Finally, we evaluate the possibility of supporting Romania in maritime demining activities in the Black Sea and Slovakia in anti-air defense. The growing Russian threat has prompted Sweden and Finland to apply to join NATO. Italy strongly supports this request, as I had the opportunity to say yesterday to the Finnish Premier Sanna Marin during our bilateral meeting. It is necessary to support NATO with a real common European defense, complementary to the Atlantic Alliance. The first step must be the rationalization of military spending in Europe, the distribution of which is inefficient, ”the head of the government pointed out.
“Italy independent of Russian gas in the second half of 2024”
On the issue of gas, the premier added: «Yesterday the Russian Federation announced the expulsion of 24 Italian diplomats: it is a hostile act that follows similar decisions taken towards other European countries and responds to expulsions of diplomats by the Italian side. It is essential to maintain channels of dialogue with the Russian Federation because only from these channels can a negotiated solution emerge ». To “diversify our suppliers, we moved quickly” with “the goal of increasing the supply of natural gas we need as a transition fuel”, but also “to increase the production of renewables”. There is “the utmost determination to eliminate bureaucratic limits on renewables, to destroy investment barriers”.
The deal with Biden on the climate
The premier concluded his briefing by saying: “During my visit to Washington I shared the Italian energy strategy with President Biden and we agree on the importance of preserving the climate commitments that Italy intends to maintain”. Also to the president of the United States, Draghi reminded the urgency of the initiative to unblock millions of tons of wheat.
“9 thousand bodies in mass graves”
“The cost of the Russian invasion in terms of human lives is terrible,” said Draghi. “The reconstructions with satellite images have identified 9,000 bodies in four mass graves around the city of Mariupol – he added – last week mass graves were found in Kiev after those discovered in other places freed from Russian occupation, for example Bucha and Borodyanka ».
Italy-Turkey summit in July
Mario Draghi announces the Italy-Turkey summit for the first days of July in Ankara to take stock of the negotiation prospects and bilateral relations between the two countries. The premier recalled that this is the first summit in 10 years now.
“Support in Kiev, the government follows the indications of the Parliament”
“If today we can speak of an attempt at dialogue it is thanks to the fact that Ukraine has managed to defend itself in these months of war. Italy will continue to support the Ukrainian government in its efforts to repel the Russian invasion. We will do this in close coordination with our European partners. It is not only the solidity of the transatlantic link that is at stake, but also loyalty to the European Union ”. The Government has reported on the matter several times to the Parliamentary Committee for the Security of the Republic, which has always found the consistency of the support offered with respect to the indications and guidelines of the Parliament ». “If today we can speak of an attempt at dialogue it is thanks to the fact that Ukraine has managed to defend itself in these months of war. Italy will continue to support the Ukrainian government in its efforts to repel the Russian invasion. We will do this in close coordination with our European partners. It is not only the solidity of the transatlantic link that is at stake, but also loyalty to the European Union. The Government has reported on the matter several times to the Parliamentary Committee for the Security of the Republic, which has always found the consistency of the support offered with respect to the indications and guidelines of the Parliament “