“The images we see take us back to the darkest days in European history. The attacks tragically hit civilians ». These are the first words of Prime Minister Mario Draghi in the briefing to the Chamber of Deputies, followed by long sessions of applause from standing deputies. “Italy strongly condemns the invasion, which we consider unacceptable. The attack is a very serious violation of the sovereignty of a free and democratic state, of international treaties, and of the most fundamental European values ». Draghi then spent words of solidarity for the Ukrainian people «I want to express the solidarity of the people and of the Italian government». He warned the “over 2 thousand Italians in Ukraine” to be cautious. In addition to the attacks on the ground, the premier revealed, the aggression was preceded by a cybernetic attack, “a large-scale invasion”. In the morning, around 9.30, a contact with Ukrainian President Zelensky was expected, but Draghi revealed that “I was unable to get in touch.”
Invasion of Ukraine: Russian gunfire and tanks in Kiev. Draghi: Putin’s premeditated and unacceptable action
Francesca Mannocchi, Roberto Pavanello, Monica Perosino, Anna Zafesova
The situation in Ukraine and the victims
Draghi in his speech took stock of the situation on Ukrainian territory: “The Russian land forces entered Ukrainian territory from the north-east, north, south-east and the south coast, and the Azov Sea was closed for navigation, isolating the ports of Mariupol and Berdiansk. We have seen widespread explosions, including in the Lviv region, the closest to the border with the European Union. Russian amphibious forces have landed in Odessa, the main port city, where there are reports of at least twenty victims ”. But the attacks by the Russians did not stop: “The Russian army continues with missile launches on the main cities, including those in central-western Ukraine – continued the prime minister – A rain of missiles fell last night on Kiev, while the army besieged various cities along the road between the border and the city. The Russian army has taken control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant area. Ukraine has so far 137 soldiers killed and 316 wounded since the beginning of the attack and speaks of 800 men lost by Russian forces, which have not yet provided data on the victims of the invasion ”.
The G7 meeting and the NATO summit in the afternoon
Yesterday, Draghi admitted, “we met together with the other leaders of the G7, and we adopted a Declaration firmly condemning the Russian aggression and calling for an end to hostilities and a return to negotiations. In the evening, I participated in an extraordinary European Council, in which President Zelensky also took part, in which the European Union expressed its condemnation of Russia and Belarus ». Adding: “This afternoon – he then recalled – I will participate in a NATO summit to coordinate the strengthening of the eastern flank and reaffirm the principles underlying our position”.