The solution to the crisis in Ukraine lies in dialogue. This is the goal of Italy’s political-diplomatic efforts, and that were the focus of Minister Federica Mogherini’s speeches in international meetings and in her bilateral talks, particularly those she held recently before and after the International Conference on Libya in Rome, attended by 40 delegations from around the world. The initiatives that should lead along the “path of dialogue” to a negotiated solution to the crisis in Ukraine include formation of a Contact Group with the collaboration of international partners, a “setting” in which Moscow and Kiev would be able to meet. And a “setting” on which Italy is concentrating its efforts.
An “excellent sign”
In Minister Mogherini’s view, the Kiev government’s announcement today of its willingness to discuss the broadening of the rights and powers of the country’s regions and minorities is an excellent sign, and one that will require concrete encouragement and follow-up by a contact group, as discussed in Rome last week, with regard to whose formation “we expect positive developments”.
The contact group, according to Mogherini, would be “a transparent and impartial international instrument by which to launch direct dialogue between Kiev and Moscow, and put them on the path that both maintain they want: that of de-escalation and a political-diplomatic solution to the crisis”.
The violations of Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and integrity, in stark contrast with international law and the conventions to which the Russian Federation itself is party, remain.
