Italian President Sergio Mattarella
met his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu in Chisinau on Tuesday
and talked about the war of aggression Russia has waged across
the border in Ukraine and the threat Moscow also poses via
disinformation.
"A few hundred kilometres from here the brutal war of aggression
unleashed by the Russian Federation rages on," Mattarella said
after meeting Sandu.
"The recent G7 Summit hosted by Italy confirmed that our
willingness to assist Ukraine will not relent and will continue
as long as necessary.
"With President Sandu we also talked about the importance of
preserving our liberal democracies, especially in the current
international context.
"Freedom and democracy are never guaranteed, they must be
defended and consolidated.
"The Russian disinformation campaign is insistent throughout
Europe and must be addressed in the EU and NATO".
Mattarella also talked of a "a widespread storm of fake news,"
saying it was an "unacceptable form of hostility"and calling for
international rues to combat the phenomenon.
Sandu said Moldova's two main problems are corruption, arguing
reform of the judiciary was needed to combat this, and Russia's
aggression.
"We do not want to live in a country where children are put in
prison for criticising the government," she said.
"We want to live in freedom in Europe and we are ready to make
every effort to achieve that".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
