Italy "has played a leading role" in the European Union's sanctions tough against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and is willing to impose fresh measures, president Sergio Mattarella stated on Wednesday.
"Italy has played a leading role in imposing sanctions on Russia," Mattarella told the Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly in Strasbourg.
"It applies these rigorously and is ready to decide on others without hesitation," Mattarella added.
Russia's 63-day-old war in Ukraine, which has plunged Europe into the worst crisis since World War Two, should unite the continent, he argued.
"Russia's aggression, which has brought war back to our continent, calls now more than ever for unity among European countries and peoples who believe in peace, democracy, and respect for international law and the rule of law," Mattarella said.
