A year ago, the Russian Federation shocked the world by invading Ukraine. 

In the past, Russia had already carried out aggressions against its neighbours and had never ceased to stake its claim over what it calls its historical borders, but no one could have imagined such a grave act. We deluded ourselves.
Putin’s objective was to make Ukraine surrender in order to then direct his expansionist aims to other bordering nations, and not just in Europe. 
That plan has failed. Moscow has had to contend with the heroic reaction of a population willing to do anything to defend their freedom, and with something stronger than missiles and tanks: their love for their homeland. 
The Ukrainian people are paying a very high price for this; I saw this with my own eyes in Bucha and in Irpin, and I will not forget it. 

Ukraine is not, and will not be, alone, because it is also defending the values of freedom and democracy that Europe’s identity is born of and that form the very foundations of international law, without which only military force would count and every nation in the world would risk being invaded by its neighbours. We cannot allow that, and it is our duty to work for a just peace. 
The free world is indebted to the men and women of Ukraine. 

Italy is on their side.

[Courtesy translation]