Italy fears Russian military intervention in Ukraine

By Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA (AA) – Italy’s foreign minister on Wednesday expressed serious concern over Russia's decision to recognize two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and send so-called "peacekeepers" there, local media reported.

Luigi Di Maio told parliament that Moscow's decision to recognize two eastern Ukrainian breakaway regions as "independent" states risks opening the door to a large-scale military intervention by Russia.

He said Italy will continue diplomatic efforts to prevent a war, but that the possibility of a peaceful solution is dwindling.

Following the recognition of the breakaway regions, Russian forces were dispatched to the breakaway territory to "maintain peace."

The announcement sparked widespread outrage around the world, prompting Western countries to retaliate by imposing new sanctions on Russia for violating the UN Charter and international law.

On the new Western sanctions on Russia, Di Maio proposed that they should be proportionate and long-term. If Moscow chooses to escalate further, he said, more sanctions should be implemented.

He reiterated that no bilateral contacts with Russia are possible until the ongoing tensions ease.

Di Maio also said Italy is considering a €110 million ($125 million) aid package for Ukraine, whose economy has been hard hit by the prolonged conflict.

In 2014, separatists in Donbas, eastern Ukraine declared the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk to be "independent states."

Russia invaded and annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula the same year, and began supporting separatists against the central government, a position it has maintained for over seven years. The conflict has taken more than 13,000 lives, according to the UN.