Premier Mario Draghi on Wednesday
stressed the need to keep open dialogue with Beijing to persuade
it not to take sides with Russia following the invasion of
Ukraine.
"It is fundamental that the EU is united in maintaining spaces
of dialogue with Beijing," Draghi said as he reported to the
Lower House before this week's European Council summit.
"We must reiterate the expectation that Beijing abstains from
supporting Moscow and supports the peace effort".
Draghi said the diplomatic effort to halt the war in Ukraine
"will only be able to have success when Moscow really wants it
to".
"Before the horrors of war, Italy is working with determination
for the hostilities to cease," he said.
"The European Council will open with a meeting with United
States President (Joe) Biden," he added.
"The Euro-Atlantic community also intends to reiterate its unity
and determination to support Ukraine at the NATO and G7 summits
and (affirm) a common commitment for peace, security and
democracy".
When Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky addressed the Italian
parliament via videolink on Tuesday, Draghi told him that Italy
won't look the other way on the "barbarism" of the Russian
invasion and was ready to continue to support Kyiv, including
via military aid.
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