“Italy does not recognise the “elections” conducted in the self-proclaimed “popular republics” of Donetsk and Lugansk, declared Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Paolo Gentiloni.
“Implementation of the Minsk Accords of 5 and 19 September remains the only negotiating basis by which to ensure stability in Ukraine and the entire region. There is no alternative to a political settlement to this crisis”, the minister stated, “as the Italian government has repeatedly maintained , particularly during the ASEM summit held on 16-17 October in Milan”.