"Last year, the Minsk agreements, a document that outlines a clear enough way for a political settlement of the issue, were signed. In this context, from our point of view, notable success has nevertheless been achieved. It primarily concerns the ceasefire. Yes, it is violated by both sides from time to time, but in general, it is possible to affirm it is holding. This means that the number of casualties is significantly lower than last year," the ambassador told RIA Novosti.
Rome insists that the Minsk accords should be implemented as soon as possible and in full, he noted.
"At the same time, the European Union should use all its influence and mediate as effectively as possible. And Russia must do its part. Not because the implementation of the Minsk agreements is linked to the sanctions, but because it is important for Ukraine to return to a normal situation, to a peaceful life," Ragaglini stressed.
According to him, it is necessary to speed up the process of constitutional reform in Ukraine, as it is being implemented slower than needed.
The Minsk deal to deescalate the situation in eastern Ukraine was signed by representatives of the government in Kiev and the Donbas militias in February 2015. Key points of the Minsk agreements include a ceasefire, weapons withdrawals from the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, constitutional reforms, including a decentralization of power in the country, and the granting of a special status to the Donbas region.
