There is no point in phoning Russian President Vladimir Putin because he does not want to negotiate with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and is not looking for peace, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said in an interview with the Corriere Della Sera, Report informs.
"Until the end, I hoped that Putin would not do it. I called him before the war started. But a few weeks later, he attacked. I tried to talk to him until the end. For now, Putin's goal is not to seek peace. His intention is to break the resistance of Ukraine and occupy the country," the prime minister said.
Mario Draghi noted that Italy would stand by Ukraine:
"Our embassy has already resumed its work in Kyiv. Like many, I thought that Russia's rapid victory would be a threat to neighboring countries. But this did not happen. There was no victory and we do not know when it will happen. According to President Zelensky, the people of Ukraine have become an army. We are facing long-lasting violence and destruction. This war will continue. However, there is no sign that the Ukrainian people can accept Russia."
Draghi also recalled that during a telephone conversation with Putin, he asked about a possible meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Putin said it was not yet time. When I insisted on a ceasefire, he stressed that it was not yet time. We said goodbye and promised to talk again in a few days. But then came the terrible news from Bucha. So I realized that the talks were really meaningless," the Italian prime minister added.
According to him, the sanctions will not stop Russia:
"These are designed to weaken the Kremlin. But the restrictions will not stop Russian troops in Ukraine. For this, we need to help Ukraine more."