NATO's decision not to intervene in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was "dramatic but rational", Italy's foreign undersecretary Benedetto Della Vedova told Adnkronos Live TV in an interview.
"All of us together, Europe, NATO, the United States, we took a dramatic decision - not to intervene directly on Ukrainian soil," Della Vedova said.
"But I believe the decision not to intervene and to hold our nerve is right and is the most rational one to take," he went on.
A NATO intervention in the Ukraine conflict would trigger "a military escalation" and the danger that this could spiral out of control, Della Vedova warned.
"Draghi made a very powerful speech saying we should not "look the other way," he said, referring to Italy's premier Mario Draghi address to the Senate on Tuesday seeking and gaining its approval for a government decree on aid for Ukraine including arms and military equipment.
"Not looking the other way means supporting Ukraine not only politically and militarily or through sanctions aimed at weakening (Russian president Vladimir) Putin, but also providing weapons to the legitimate authorities in Kiev for self-defence," Della Vedova stated.
Della Vedova said he favoured a common European foreign policy and defence force in order to safeguards Europe's core principles and interests.
"The current crisis... highlights that to best protect its values and interests, Europe needs a common foreign policy and defence system - a joint army," he said.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine show that "just like 40 years ago", Washington and Moscow "are the two main actors", Della Vedova argued.
