Italy will continue to support
Ukraine as it fights Russia's invasion, outgoing Premier Mario
Draghi told a conference on Crimea in Ukraine on Tuesday.
"Russia must put an end to its illegal occupation, its brutal
attacks on unarmed civilians," said the former European central
banker, who resigned last month and is set to be replaced in
September 25 general elections in Italy.
"Italy will continue to support Ukraine.
"We are with you in your struggle to resist the Russian
invasion, to restore Ukraine's territorial integrity, to protect
your democracy and independence".
Draghi added that the fight for Crimea, which Moscow annexed in
2014, was part of the fight for Ukraine.
"Italy unwaveringly supports this initiative and Ukraine," he
told the conference.
"Italy has always condemned the occupation of Crimea ad we are
concerned about the deterioration of human rights in the
peninsula and about the injustices towards the Tartar community:
the struggle for Crimea is part of the struggle to free
Ukraine".
Draghi went on: "on the second anniversary of the international
platform for Crimea, I wish to express Italy's firm support for
this initiative and for Ukraine.
"The occupation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia in March 2014
was an unacceptable act of aggression, a clear violation of
international law.
"Italy has consistently condemned the illegal annexation of
Crimea by Russia and the gradual militarization of the peninsula
by Moscow.
"We are deeply concerned about the worsening of the human rights
situation in the peninsula and we stand alongside Crimea's
Tartar community, against the violence and injustice which it
suffering."
Earlier Tuesday League leader Matteo Salvini said the EU should
think about the fact that sanctions on Russia may be actually
helping President Vladimir Putin and the Russian economy,
instead of weakening them.
Democrat Party leader Enrico Letta said Italy and the West
should be careful about sending any signals of concessions to
Moscow.
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