Speaking in an interview with Italian daily La Repubblica, Zbigniew Rau said that "peace might be achieved even tomorrow if only Russian troops put an end to their military aggression in Ukraine and returned to Russian territory," according to the Polish foreign ministry.
He added that Ukraine had "no territorial claims against Russia in its internationally recognized borders" and that Kyiv "wants peace."
"It is Russia that makes illegitimate territorial claims against Ukraine and uses military aggression to destroy the Ukraine state and exterminate the people of Ukraine in a bid for genocide," Rau said in the interview, as quoted by the Polish foreign ministry in English.
He told La Repubblica: "Restoration of peace in Europe will not be possible as long as Russia does not give up on its illegitimate intentions and cease its armed assault on Ukraine."
Rau also said in the interview that Poland and Italy had "an exceptional opportunity of building a deep strategic partnership" and shared "a common approach to the strategic challenges facing Europe."
He told the Italian newspaper that "the Europeans' trust in European institutions must be restored," according to a tweet posted by the Polish foreign ministry.
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Source: IAR