Risk Falling Into the Abyss – Mattarella After Drone Incursion

Rome: President Sergio Mattarella warned that the situation risks spiralling out of control after Poland said its airspace had been violated by Russian drones overnight, describing the incident as “extremely serious” as he spoke in Ljubljana during the first leg of a visit to Slovenia. “What creates alarm is that we are moving on a ridge from which we can slide into an abyss of uncontrolled violence,” he said.

According to Ansa News Agency, Mattarella expressed concern over the developments in Ukraine, exacerbated by the Kremlin’s threatening statements to European countries. He highlighted the risk of an unimaginable and uncontrollable conflict. The head of State also criticized Israel’s air strikes on Qatar’s capital, Doha, which targeted Hamas’s political leaders on Tuesday.

“Equal concern to what happened in Poland is incurred by what happened in Qatar, because it is unacceptable that the sovereignty of a country should be violated,” Mattarella stated. He elaborated on the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, noting the dramatic situation that persists in the region.

Mattarella referenced the events of October 7, where hostages remain held by Hamas, leading to increasingly dire conditions. He condemned the situation in Gaza, where the population faces starvation, describing it as unacceptable. He also criticized the actions in the West Bank, which he believes make a peaceful solution impossible.