Italy proposes an "international facilitation group" to the UN for a ceasefire in Ukraine
A building destroyed by a strike in Bakhmut, in the Donetsk region, on May 19, 2022. via REUTERS - DONETSK REGION POLICE
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Italy has proposed to the UN a plan to end the crisis to settle the conflict in Ukraine.
On Friday 20 May, during a press conference of Council of Europe ministers near Turin, the head of Italian diplomacy explained that he wanted to create a "
facilitation
" group involving the European Union, the UN or even the OSCE, with the objective of reaching
a ceasefire in Ukraine "
step by step ".
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With our correspondent in Rome,
Éric Sénanque
Italian diplomats worked on a four-stage plan, the first being a ceasefire and demilitarization of combat zones;
the second, in establishing Ukraine's neutrality and its integration into the European Union but not into NATO.
Third step, the settlement of disputes concerning Donbass and Crimea, under Ukrainian sovereignty but with a large autonomy.
Finally, the signing of a multilateral peace and security agreement for Europe.
Bet on multilateralism
The head of Italian diplomacy Luigi Di Maio presented his plan to Antonio Guterres on Wednesday May 18 in New York.
Italy's objective, he explained to him, is to find "
a just and equitable solution, agreed between the parties, based on Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity
".
The UN secretary general would have shown himself "
very interested
", in particular on the question of the ceasefire, reports the Italian press.
According to sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkey has given the green light to the Italian plan, saying it is ready in particular to guarantee corridors for the secure export of cereals from Ukrainian ports.
Faithful to its pacifist tradition, Rome wishes through this initiative to position itself at the center of the diplomatic game by betting on multilateralism rather than isolated initiatives.
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Antonio Guterres