If there is one country that must try to play the role of mediator in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it is Italy. In recent days, Repubblica has released a four-point roadmap drawn up by Italy’s foreign ministry to try to heal the crisis. A bold hypothesis, that of the Farnesina, but not easy to achieve.
In fact, the Italian peace plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, followed by an agreement on Ukraine’s neutrality, the sovereignty of Crimea and Donbass (the two areas of most interest to President Vladimir Putin as they are home to the most Russian-speaking communities in Ukraine) and finally a new international security pact that can eliminate new conflicts from Europe.
Currently, Kyiv is analyzing the plan and has announced – through Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko – that it “appreciates” the efforts of Rome, which “shared its vision of ways to end the Russian war.” At the same time, he warned: “Any political decision should be based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”
Our country has therefore begun to act in the new peacemaker guise. And it is in this perspective that Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should be read. As Ansa reports, the Ukrainian head of state thanked his colleague for his “unconditional support for his country’s path” towards the EU.
The two politicians had not spoken to each other since April 27. Draghi reassured Zelensky and introduced him to the three directions, as defined by Ansa, that he wants to follow. The first way is that of sanctions and “must get the EU to approve the sixth package of restrictions as soon as possible”. The second way concerns “the opening of Ukrainian ports to resume grain exports and avert the “bread war,” a side effect of the conflict on the ground.” Finally, the third way envisages supporting Italy “to guarantee Kyiv a protective shield against any external aggression, given Ukraine’s increasingly distant prospects of joining NATO”.
The Italian proposals are characterized by realism and things are moving. Small signs of relaxation that open up glimmers of peace.