Putin's missile tactics: Intimidation over diplomacy on display
In recent days, Russia launched an experimental medium-range ballistic missile towards Ukraine, which—according to Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani—is "old" and "modified." On Saturday, Tajani noted that such a move is aimed at intimidating the adversary.
In his statement to the Italian station Rete 4, the Italian Foreign Minister commented that "Putin behaves like ancient warriors who banged their swords on shields to intimidate their opponents."
Tajani emphasized that in reality, this is nothing new. There is nothing new here. These are missiles that have been modified, used to scare the Ukrainian adversary and to exert pressure - he explained.
Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that Russia is making efforts to control small towns in border areas to gain an advantage in negotiations. He also recalled that Ukraine has taken a similar approach by occupying part of Russian territory.
- However - as the Deputy Prime Minister noted - it is the Ukrainians who are defending themselves, and the aggressor is Putin. He is issuing dangerous threats - said Tajani, referring to the leadership style of the Russian leader, noting that Putin grew up with a "KGB mentality."
- Putin thinks that everything can be resolved with force and the military, and knows little about the tools of diplomacy, to which we are accustomed as a democratic country, as the West - stated the head of Italian diplomacy.
"Peace will not mean Ukraine's capitulation"
- During the summit in Warsaw a few days ago, as the five most important countries in the European Union—Italy, Poland, France, Germany, Spain plus the United Kingdom—we decided to continue working together to defend international law and collaborate with the United States, including the new administration, to seek a solution - Tajani pointed out.
- The peace we all desire can only be a just peace, and thus a peace that will not mean Ukraine's capitulation to Russia - concluded the head of Italian diplomacy.
