Italy views diplomacy as the only way to resolve the current crisis between Ukraine and Russia and is working towards that goal, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Monday.
"It's clear that diplomacy is the only solution to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine," Di Maio said on the sidelines of a European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.
"Italy is working in that direction," Di Maio added.
Russia and Ukrainian officials have signalled to Di Maio their "full willingness" to solve the crisis through diplomacy amid fears that Russia could invade Ukraine at any time, he said.
"Dialogue must be the watchword to end this crisis," Di Maio concluded.