Italian FM urges inclusion of EU sanctions against Russia in Ukraine conflict settlement deal

Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani believes that the issue of European sanctions against Russia should be included in the final part of the agreement on settling the conflict in Ukraine.

The minister noted that European countries are defending Ukraine, but representatives of Russia and Ukraine will be at the negotiating table, Caliber.Az reports, citing El Mundo.

“We defend Ukraine, but Zelenskyy and Putin will be at the table, and then we can bring Europe in, because our sanctions against Russia will have to be included in the final part of the agreement, but they both come first. We defend peace with justice. If peace isn't just, it's not peace. Peace can't be Ukraine's disaster. That's why I think we must help Ukraine resolve this situation and try to seek peace,” Tajani said.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union has imposed 16 packages of sanctions targeting Russian individuals, companies, the defence industry, financial institutions, and energy exports. These sanctions are a cornerstone of the EU’s response to the war and are aimed at weakening Russia's ability to sustain its military aggression.

Formal peace talks between Ukraine and Russia have stalled. Ukraine insists on the return of all occupied territories, while Russia demands recognition of its territorial gains. 

By Khagan Isayev