Italy praises Turkiye's mediation efforts for Russia's war on Ukraine

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - Italy on Monday praised Turkiye's efforts to mediate Russia’s war on Ukraine, especially through this weekend’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

In a televised interview, highlighting the importance of diplomacy and the role of international actors to stop the war, Luigi Di Maio said: "Turkiye has a very important role. As you can see, Ukrainian and Russian ministers have announced that they will meet at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in the coming days."

Turkiye's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced a tripartite meeting with Ukraine and Russia to be held on Thursday on the eve of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which begins Friday.

China also has an important role, as they also declared that they are available to find a solution, Di Maio added.

The EU and French President Emmanuel Macron, chairing the EU Council, have recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin many times, he said.

Decrying the deaths of civilians in Ukraine from Russian bombing and armored vehicles, Di Maio said: "We must be very clear at this point. This war cannot be resolved by a great war. We will resolve this war, this crisis through diplomacy."

He went on to say: "We are working together with the entire international community for a peaceful path and to bring Putin back to the (negotiating) table."

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum will be held on March 11-13 in Turkiye's southern resort city of Antalya.

Since Russia began its war against Ukraine on Feb. 24, it has drawn international condemnation, led to financial sanctions on Moscow, and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia.

At least 406 civilians have been killed and 801 others injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, according to UN figures.

More than 1.7 million people have also fled to neighboring countries, the UN Refugee Agency said.