Italian Premier Mario Draghi said
Russian President Vladimir Putin must "put an end to the
bloodshed and withdraw military forces from (within) the borders
of Ukraine in an unconditional way" after Moscow launched a
large-scale attack on Ukraine.
He said the EU was preparing a "tough package of sanctions" and
dialogue with Moscow was "impossible" at the moment.
"These are hours of great worry for the citizens," he said.
"Tomorrow I will report to parliament about the ongoing
conflict.
"The government intends to work ceaselessly to resolve the
crisis together with our allies and we will do everything
necessary to guarantee the sovereignty of Ukraine, the security
of the EU and the international order based on the rules agreed
by us all.
"Ukraine is a European country, a friendly nation and a
democracy that has been hit in its legitimate sovereignty," he
added.
He stressed that the Italian embassy in Kiev remains "open and
fully operative, maintaining contact with the Ukraine
authorities, in close coordination with the other embassies, in
order to protect around 2,000 Italian resident (in Ukraine).
"The embassy remains on maximum alert, ready to adopt every
decision necessary".
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