Rome, Dec. 13 (LaPresse) – The potential cession of territories “is a choice for Ukraine; it is not up to us to decide what the final outcome regarding the territories should be. It is a matter that concerns— as we have always said—Ukraine’s decision. During negotiations, it will be up to them to say if and what part of their sovereignty they intend to give up. There are different proposals; we will see what happens, but ultimately it is their issue,” said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on the sidelines of the Italian Diplomacy Jubilee.
He emphasized: “What matters to us is Ukraine’s security. I reiterated this yesterday when speaking with Chancellor Merz in Germany. Our proposal is to use an agreement similar to NATO’s Article 5, with an American presence that can guarantee, above all, air security. Ukraine’s security is also Europe’s security, so efforts must continue during negotiations. Europe must be part of the talks because we have imposed sanctions, and their removal requires European involvement. Therefore, we support all American initiatives to reach an agreement, but Europe cannot be absent. We will see on Monday in Berlin what is discussed, and especially whether the Russians genuinely want peace or not.”
Responding to journalists’ questions, Tajani denied that Italy or Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni exerted pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept American territorial conditions within the peace negotiations. “No,” he stressed. “It is Ukraine’s choice.”