Italy’s message to Kiev and Moscow is the same: use every possible diplomatic instrument within Ukraine and the region to achieve a “bilateral ceasefire”, effect border controls, disarm the east, release all hostages and allow freedom of the press in the east. At the same time, facilitate implementation of the EU-Ukraine association agreement and support reforms in Ukraine, above all the reform of the Constitution. It was Minister Federica Mogherini who carried the message in two days of talks with Ukraine leaders, and who will meet in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. Initial results from Kiev included announcements from foreign minister Pavel Klimkim signalling that Ukraine was ready for a bilateral ceasefire, and from President Petro Poroshenko expressing the same willingness. Both meetings in separate moments with the head of Italian diplomacy on the first Italian EU Presidency mission.
Trilateral on Kiev-EU accord
Prior to leaving for Moscow, Minister Mogherini announced that on Friday 11 July Ukraine, the European Union and Russia would begin negotiations on implementing the Ukraine-EU association agreement, another achievement within the context of Italian and European diplomatic efforts.
