Ongoing international contacts between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, and his French counterpart, Jean Yves Le Drian. This morning, the two Ministers had a long and fruitful telephone conversation mainly focused on the recent developments on the Russian-Ukrainian border and in western Ukraine.
In reiterating their support to territorial integrity and full sovereignty of Ukraine, the two Ministers shared their commitment to continue along the path of dialogue with Russia, keeping the European front united in defining a joint answer that acts as a deterrent and is at the same time effective and sustainable.
Minister Di Maio also expressed his wish for a positive answer by Moscow on the ally’s availability to start a serious and concrete dialogue to solve the crisis, also highlighting that it is necessary to work to avoid an escalating spiral that would reduce the margins of the political and diplomatic initiative.
Di Maio and Le Drian briefly discussed the recent developments in Mali, agreeing on the opportunity of maintaining close coordination also with regard to the common commitment to the fight against terrorism in the Sahelian region.
