Ukraine: Italy’s Zappia, “there is no alternative to Minsk Agreements”

NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 20 – Recalling its unwavering support to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized legal borders, Italy remains strongly committed to a sustainable political solution based on the Minsk Agreements reached four years ago to halt the war in the Donbass region. “There is no alternative to the Minsk Agreements”, the Italian permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mariangela Zappia, said today during a General Assembly Plenary Meeting on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

“Dialogue may not be the easiest choice but is the only choice. Confrontation is not a solution”, said the Italian Ambassador, calling upon all sides to swiftly and fully implement the Agreements and condemn all initiatives that run counter to their letter and spirit. “We call on Russia to assume its responsibility in this regard”, Zappia said, adding that Italy remains deeply concerned by the crisis in and around Ukraine and its impact on the stability and cooperation in Europe. As Chairmanship-in-Office of the OSCE in 2018, Italy has spared no effort to restore mutual trust and facilitate dialogue toward a lasting and sustainable solution, assigning absolute priority to alleviating the humanitarian conditions of the civilian population which “is bearing the heaviest burden”.

According to the United Nations, 5.2 million Ukrainians continue to be exposed to the consequences of the protracted crisis, directly or indirectly. For 2019, USD 162 million are needed to reach the 2.3 million most vulnerable men, women and children with humanitarian assistance and protection in Ukraine. “The death toll of five years of conflict and the continued threat represented by shelling and mines remind that, despite all our common efforts, peace isn’t yet a reality in Europe. “It is imperative to stop the violence, proceed immediately to fulfill all mine action commitments and ensure full and unimpeded access to all humanitarian actors”, said Zappia because “the vulnerability, especially of the elderly, and the loss of lives at crossing points are unacceptable”.

Click here to read the full speech of Ambassador Zappia. (@OnuItalia)