Italian President Sergio Mattarella said Monday Italy is "called on" to play a key role in ensuring peace is maintained once the conflict in Ukraine draws to a close.

 

The head of state spoke during a ceremony to celebrate the 208th anniversary of the founding of the Carabinieri, Italy's special paramilitary police.

 

The Ukraine crisis "is undermining the foundations of coexistence in the world," Mattarella said, adding that Italy will be "called on to ensure peace, security and progress" when the Russia-Ukraine conflict is over.

 

He also said the Carabinieri will play a "significant part of the national effort" in the area of assuring peace. The organization was founded in 1814, predating the founding of Italy's republic by nearly 50 years.

 

Mattarella made his remarks at Rome's Quirinale Palace to a group of ranking military personnel headed by Teo Luzi, commander general of the Carabinieri.

 

In recent weeks, Italian leaders have heightened their calls for a ceasefire and peace talks to put the Ukraine crisis to an end, and stressed less military support for Ukrainian forces.

 

On June 2, Mattarella also said Italy "is committed to building conditions for peace" during celebrations of the country's 76th national day.