Italy PM Draghi rules out risk of escalation in Ukraine

ROME

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that NATO allies do not see the risk of an escalation in the Ukrainian war.

Draghi also hailed the invitation to Sweden and Finland into NATO, stressing that the move represents an important moment for the alliance, which is strengthened by European members.

He clarified that the announced reinforcement of the US military forces in Italy consists of 70 additional US soldiers and a new air defense system, which had already been planned.

“There’s no risk of an escalation, but we need to be ready,” the Italian premier said, responding to reporters’ questions at the NATO summit in Madrid.

The Italian premier responded to a question regarding a heated row within the government, which opposes Draghi and the 5-Star leader Giuseppe Conte.

Draghi said he and Conte had already started talking and will meet again soon, but ruled out risks of a government crisis, which could be sparked by the exit of the 5-Star Movement from the ruling coalition.