Prime Minister of Italy: Threat from Russia is much more far reaching than we realise – Reuters

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said that Russia poses a broad threat to the security of the European Union, as it could use illegal immigration and other issues to undermine the EU.

Source: Meloni at a meeting of the leaders of Italy in Finland, writes Reuters, as reported by European Pravda 

Details: Meloni arrived in Finland to attend a meeting of the leaders of Italy, Sweden and Greece, as well as the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, where they discussed security in northern Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as migration challenges.

Meloni stated at the press conference, in response to a question about Russia, that the threat is far greater than people might think.

The threat to the EU's security from Russia or other countries will not stop after the war in Ukraine is over, and the EU must be prepared for this, she asserted.

Quote: "It's about our democracy, it's about influencing our public opinion, it's about what happens in Africa, it's about raw materials, it's about the instrumentalisation of migration. We need to know it's a very wide idea of security."

Details: She called on the EU to do more to protect its borders and not allow Russia or any "criminal organisation" to control the flow of illegal migrants.

Some EU members, including Finland and Estonia, have accused Russia of allowing illegal migrants from the Middle East and elsewhere to enter EU countries through Russia without proper checks, undermining EU security.

Meloni said that the EU has made mistakes in dealing with migration over the years by simply trying to share the burden.

Quote: "Tackling the issue of illegal immigration solely as a solidarity-based debate was a mistake. The result is that we have been unable to protect our borders ... We want to defend our external borders and we will not allow Russia or criminal organisations to undermine our security."

Details: While NATO remains the "cornerstone" of EU security, the bloc must address broader issues, Meloni said.

Quote: "Security also means critical infrastructure, it means artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, raw materials, supply chains. It means a new and more effective foreign and cooperation policy, it means migration."

Background: 

• General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, believes that regardless of how the war in Ukraine ends, the Russian army will be stronger than it is now.
• US Army Lieutenant General Charles Constanza believes that the Russian army, fighting against the Ukrainian defence forces, which are trained and equipped by other countries, is honing its ability to fight the West in the future.

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