You're reading: Diplomats send protest note to Italian FM over Russia-led separatist office in Verona

The Embassy of Ukraine to Italy has sent a note of protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this country in connection with the opening of the “representation of the Russia-backed separatists in Verona on February 9, and also sent relevant inquiries to the prefecture and quaestorship of Verona.

“The Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine are taking political and diplomatic response measures in this regard: a corresponding verbal note has been sent to the Italian Foreign Ministry, requests to the prefecture and quaestorship of Verona, which protest against anti-Ukrainian provocations aimed at undermining the European position in support of the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state, the legal status of this “representative office” is being clarified,” the Ukrainian Embassy to Italy said on Facebook on Feb. 11.

The embassy strongly condemns any attempt to promote the fake “republics” in Italy.

The Ukrainian diplomatic mission noted that the head of the “representative office became Palmarino Zoccatelli, who had previously spoken for the independence of the Veneto region.”

“We are convinced that the aforementioned illegal actions of certain representatives of the local Veronese political cell will not cast doubt on the firm position of the Italian government in supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the diplomats added.