The clash between the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and Vladimir Putin’s generals has left many fearing the worst, but Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated Italy is not at war with Russia and will not intervene in its internal affairs.
On 23 June, the Wagner paramilitary group, which has previously worked to support the aims of Putin, initiated a rebellion, seizing the city of Rostov-on-Don and announcing an intention to take Moscow. The uprising ceased on 24 June following negotiations with Belarusian leader Aleksander Lukashenko that would see Prigozhin face no charges upon his exit to Belarus.
“It is not up to us to interfere. Just as we say that Russia cannot interfere in the internal situation of a country, we cannot (do it either)”, Tajani said.
“We did not make war on Russia. We are not against Russia, we contest the violation of international law by Putin, who leads the Federation at the moment,” he added.
Italy, like other European countries, has supplied arms to Ukraine, but as Tajani pointed out, this is only to allow it to defend its territorial integrity, which, if lost, “would have meant having the Russians ready to invade other countries of the former Soviet Union”.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was in Austria for the Europa Forum in Wachau when the Wagner situation started to unfold, and as soon as she returned to Italy, she summoned the relevant ministers and intelligence.
“We are following the developments on what is happening in the last hours in Russia. The awareness is of a situation of chaos within the Russian Federation that clashes somewhat with certain propaganda seen in recent months”, Meloni said.
“If we had not helped Ukrainians, today we would be living in a much more insecure world, with a war much closer to home, where those who are militarily stronger can freely invade their neighbour. We are defending peace, stability and security”, she added, responding to critics who accuse her of supporting the escalation of the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.
Meloni reiterated Italy’s unwavering support for Volodymyr Zelenksyy’ Ukraine and explained that contacts with international allies are in progress, including a meeting at the foreign minister level to exchange helpful information.
On Sunday, US President Joe Biden spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to discuss the situation in Russia and affirm their “unwavering support” for Ukraine.
Despite her firm pro-NATO and pro-American stance, Biden did not talk with Meloni.
“There is always great consideration from the United States for the Italian government”, Tajani said, who recently visited Washington and met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“We are a great country, if Europe stands firm in defence of Ukraine, it is also thanks to the Italian government. The European system stands thanks to our country, too”, he added.
(Federica Pascale | EURACTIV.it)
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