Fratelli D’Italia (FdI) leader Giorgia Meloni said on Friday that Russia's declaration that it has annexed areas of Ukraine that it has occupied is of no value.
“The Russian Federation's declaration of the annexation of four Ukraine regions after sham referendums held during a violent military occupation has no legal or political value,” said Meloni, who looks set to become Italy's first woman premier after FdI spearheaded the right's coalition's victory in Sunday's general election.
“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has once again shown his Soviet-style Neo-imperialist vision, which threatens the security of the entire European continent.
“This latest breach of the rules of co-existence between nations by Russia confirms the need for firmness and unity by the Western democracies.”
Meloni and Mario Draghi, whom she is set to succeed, also both called for a unified EU response to soaring gas prices ahead of Friday's extraordinary European Energy Council meeting.
The appeals came after Germany's announcement that it would borrow 200 billion euro to soften the impact of high energy prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine raised concerns that Berlin was set to go it alone, denting hopes of an EU-wide response.
Italy is among 15 EU States calling for a gas-price cap, but Germany is among the countries that are not keen, due to fears about the possibility of this move leading to shortages.
“Europe must remain united, avoiding market distortions,” Draghi said.
Meloni echoed these sentiments after speaking to Draghi on the telephone.
“An immediate response from Europe is needed to protect firms and families,” said Meloni.
“No one can go it alone. I hope good sense and speed prevail.”
