Italian PM calls for emergency ceasefire in Ukraine

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine today so that serious negotiations can begin to end the war that started with the invasion of Russia nearly three months ago.

“A ceasefire should be reached as soon as possible,” Draghi said in a speech to the Senate in Rome, sparking a debate about Italy’s role in supporting Ukraine, which has created mounting tensions in the prime minister’s ruling majority.

Draghi said it is important to keep the pressure on Russia through economic sanctions because “we have to bring Moscow to the negotiating table”.