The current migrant boom which is
hitting Italy harder than other countries is due to pressure
from the activity of Russian-paid Wagner mercenaries in Africa,
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Foreign Minister Antonio
Tajani said Monday.
Crosetto said the rise in migrant departures from Africa is at
least partially due to the strategy being employed by the Wagner
group in a number of African countries.
"It seems to me that by now it is safe to say that the
exponential increase in the migratory phenomenon from the
African coasts is also, to a not inconsiderable extent, part of
a clear strategy of hybrid warfare that the Wagner division,
mercenaries in the pay of Russia, is implementing, using its
considerable weight in some African countries", said Crosetto.
Tajani, for his part, speaking after talks with Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, said: The minister
went on to emphasise "concern" about the fact that "many
migrants come from areas controlled by the Wagner group. I would
not like there to be an attempt to push migrants towards Italy".
Tajani added: "The immigration issue cannot be just an Italian
issue.
"I found great understanding for what is happening in Italy
regarding immigration on the part of Netanyahu".
Crosetto, for his part, went on: "The EU, NATO, and the West,
just as they realised that cyber attacks were part of the global
clash that the Ukrainian conflict opened up, should now
understand that the southern European front is also becoming
more dangerous every day. They should also realise that
uncontrolled and continuous immigration, added to the economic
and social crisis, is becoming a way to hit the most exposed
countries, first and foremost Italy, and their geostrategic
choices, clear and sharp".
"The Atlantic Alliance," he added, "is consolidated if we also
share the problems that arise from collective choices, but it
runs the risk of cracking if the countries most exposed to
retaliation of various kinds (such as opening the immigration
'taps' by some states) are left alone".
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