The Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi, participated this Friday afternoon (11) in a videoconference organized by the American government to discuss the risk of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine and supported the possibility of “severe sanctions, while continuing to hope for a useful dialogue".
The meeting was attended by the leaders of the main Western powers, including the presidents of the United States, Joe Biden, and France, Emmanuel Macron, the German heads of government, Olaf Scholz, and the British, Boris Johnson.
In addition to them, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated; the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen; and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
According to an official note from Palazzo Chigi, the latest developments in the Ukrainian crisis were analyzed, confirming “the need to ensure a firm deterrent stance, keeping dialogue open with Moscow also to implement the Minsk agreements”.
O Italian government further explains that the leaders discussed possible sanctions that could be adopted in the event of an attack on Ukraine's territorial integrity.
“Draghi supports the opportunity for serious sanctions, while continuing to hope for a useful dialogue,” the statement added.
According to the White House, the western leaders said they “agree on the importance of coordinated efforts to discourage further Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
“If Russia opts for military escalation, there could be heavy consequences and serious economic costs,” emphasizes the American government.
Parallel to the meeting, the national security advisor of White House, Jake Sullivan, warned again that a Russian attack could begin at any moment. “A Russian attack on Ukraine could begin at any time and would likely begin with an airstrike,” he said during a briefing in Washington.
Sullivan further stated that any Americans still in Ukraine should leave within the next 24 to 48 hours because a Russian airstrike would make it difficult to leave.
“We don’t believe that Putin has made any kind of final choice about whether or not to invade Ukraine,” added the American advisor, noting that Biden should speak to Putin by phone soon. (Handle)
