Italy's premier Mario Draghi on Tuesday voiced "strong condemnation" of Russian president Vladimir Putin's recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, calling the move "unacceptable".
"I would first like to express my strong condemnation of the Russian government's decision to recognise the two separatist territories in Donbas," Draghi stated.
"This is an unacceptable violation of Ukraine's democratic sovereignty and its territorial integrity," Draghi added.
He was addressing a ceremony to mark the inauguration of Italy's top administrative court, the Council of State's new president Franco Frattini and the official opening of the court's new judicial year.
"Dialogue remains essential" to resolve the current crisis triggered by ever-growing fears that Russia will invade Ukraine, Draghi said.
"I am in constant touch with our allies to find a peaceful solution to the crisis and to avoid war at the heart of Europe," Draghi said.
Expected talks between Draghi and Russia's president Vladimir Putin in Moscow have been thrown into doubt since Putin recognised Luhansk and Donetsk on Monday and announced that Russian 'peacekeeping' troops would be deployed there, triggering Western sanctions amid the deepening Ukraine crisis.
