Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi went to the country's Senate on Tuesday (1st) to talk about the war in Ukraine and the measures adopted by the government during the conflict.
In one of the first points of his speech, the head of government warned that an era in Europe has come to an end and that “Russia's invasion of Ukraine marks a decisive turning point in European history”.
“In recent decades, many had deluded themselves that war would no longer have a place in Europe. That the horrors that marked the 1900s were monstrosities that would not be repeated. That the multilateral institutions created after World War II were meant to protect us forever. In other words, they could take for granted the achievements of peace, security and well-being that previous generations gave us with many sacrifices”, he pointed out to parliamentarians.
Second Draghi, the “images arriving from Kiev, Kharkiv, Maripol and other cities in Ukraine fighting for freedom in Europe show the end of these illusions”.
“The heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people, of their president [Volodymyr] Zelensky, puts us face to face with a new reality and forces us to make choices that until a few months ago were unthinkable. I want to reinforce once again all my solidarity, that of the government and the citizens to Ucrania”He added.
The Prime Minister also compared the current attack with the “annexation of Austria, the occupation of Czechoslovakia and the invasion of Poland” that occurred 80 years ago and said that the government will remain firm in its stance of supporting the European Union's decisions to support to Kiev.
“President Putin's revanchist design is revealed today with clear contours, in his words and actions. The threats to make people pay with consequences never seen in history […] require us to react quickly, firmly and unitedly,” he said.
Draghi also asked the Kremlin to “listen” to the contrary demonstrations of his people, such as those seen since Thursday (24) in more than 40 cities across the country. Independent websites indicate that more than six thousand people were arrested in demonstrations against the war.
Worrying signs
The leader of the Italian government also told senators that there are “worrying signs” also coming from Belarus, which has the government of Aleksandr Lukashenko – called the last dictator in Europe for being in power since 1994 – extremely aligned with Putin.
“Another worrying sign comes from neighboring Belarus, where citizens voted Sunday in favor of some relevant changes to the Constitution and eliminated the status of a 'denuclearized' country. This could imply the desire to place nuclear weapons from other countries on their own soil”, he pointed out.
Regarding migration, Draghi reaffirmed European Union data that the war could affect between six and 7,5 million internally displaced people and three to four million refugees in other countries.
“With regard to refugees, as Minister Luigi Di Maio had already informed, we are committed to activating special corridors for orphaned children so that they can reach our country as quickly and safely. Sunday, at the Extraordinary Council of EU Interior Ministers, the possibility was assessed, which has the support of Italy, of applying for the first time the directive on temporary protection provided for in the event of a massive influx of displaced people,” said Draghi.
Guarantee for refugees
To the senators, the prime minister explained that the measure allows fleeing Ukrainians to stay in countries of the European Union for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal, and would avoid the activation of “onerous procedures” after 90 days of stay without a visa. “The directive can also require Member States to indicate their reception capacity and cooperation in transferring people’s residences from one country to another”, he pointed out.
After Draghi's speech, the Senate approved the resolution on the war in Ukraine, which had also been approved by the Câmara dos Deputados.
The document demands that Russia immediately stop military operations and withdraw all its armed forces “which illegitimately occupy Ukrainian soil”. Furthermore, it allows for rapid action to “provide humanitarian, financial and economic assistance in addition to the provision of military devices and instruments that allow Ukraine to exercise its right to self-defense.” (HANDLE).
FOLLOW-US
