by Stefano Vaccara
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE (CANADA) – “It’s all in Putin’s hands.” Thus the Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summed up, just before the final meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G7 in Canada, the Italian line on the war in Ukraine, asking that Russia “change attitude and become builder of peace”. In the summit hosted by the Canadian Minister Anita Anand, who also participated in the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Tajani confirmed that “Italy is ready to provide all possible assistance in Kiev, with particular attention to energy and humanitarian resilience and defense”.
The 12th military aid package is being prepared, but also new civil contributions: “We will provide generators and new technology to rehabilitate affected power plants,” he explained. The minister also announced that Italy will invest “different tens of millions” in the reconstruction of the energy system and in the protection of Ukrainian critical infrastructure, recalling that Rome has already allocated over 100 million euros in aid credits. In the middle of the interview also contrast to corruption: “The Kiev minister assured us that the situation is changing. We are ready to cooperate, providing the experience of our magistrates and the Guardia di Finanza.” On the long-range weapons, Tajani explained that “there was no request” and said that “Italy will never authorize the use of Italian weapons beyond the Ukrainian borders”. No division in the majority, he added, “we will see what you will have to do, but we will all do it together, in full harmony with the allies.”.
Commenting on the message of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who invited Moscow to “follow the path of diplomacy”, Tajani defined his words “a message of common sense”. “Russia and Ukraine must speak – he said – but when there will be an agreement, Europe will also have to be part of the process, because without our decision to withdraw sanctions we cannot reach peace.” With regard to the use of frozen Russian funds, the Minister reiterated the Italian opening: “We are not against it, but we need a solid legal basis. Each solution must respect the principles of legality, stability of the euro area and overall sustainability, also to ensure the future ability to continue supporting Ukraine.”.
On the Middle East front, Tajani insisted on the need to “consolidate the truce in Gaza” and ensure aid to the civilian population. “The Italian trucks of the Food for Gaza program are operating, and from Brindisi will soon leave planes with food – he said -. Italy wants to be the protagonist of the phase of reconstruction and peace”.
In Niagara, the owner of the Farnesina then confirmed the humanitarian mission Italy for Sudan, which previews the arrival to Port Sudan, by Christmas, of “an airplane and a ship with food and materials for children”. “It is a humanitarian initiative but also a policy – he stressed – because politics is always protecting people.”.
Tajani spoke, answering a question of Italpress, also of the increasing tension in Venezuela, after the arrival in the Caribbean of the American carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. “There is an involution of the situation – he said – and a growing tension with the United States, which are countering drug trafficking, weapons and human beings.” He then confirmed that Italy “is doing everything to bring home the Italian citizens held in Caracas, who are political prisoners and not criminals”. Among them, Alberto Trentini, in prison for a year. “We are working politically and diplomatically for their liberation,” he added.
The minister then expressed “strong concern for the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world”, reaffirming the need to “defend religious freedom everywhere”. To the question on which today the most serious crisis for the G7, Tajani responded that “all worry”, but indicated Ukraine and the Middle East as “the greatest because they also involve the world powers”, followed by Sudan, “dramatic for number of deaths and refugees”.
In closing, the vice-premier praised the inclusive approach of the Canadian Presidency: “It is positive that the G7 follows the path outlined by Italy, opening dialogue to other countries like India, Saudi Arabia and Mexico. Woe if we close in an ivory tower: dialogue is the key to defending the values of freedom and the global market.”.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
