"Russia threatens Europe more than we think" (G. Meloni)
Russia poses a major threat to the security of the European Union. Moscow can also use illegal immigration, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
"We have to understand that the threat is much broader than we imagine," Meloni said.
According to her, the threat to the EU's security from Russia or elsewhere won't stop after the end of the conflict in Ukraine, and the EU must prepare for it.
"This is about our democracy, this is about influencing our public opinion, this is about what is happening in Africa, this is about raw materials, this is about the instrumentalisation of migration. We have to know that this is a very broad idea of security," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
She called on the EU to do more to protect its borders and not allow Russia or any other "criminal organisation" to control the flow of illegal migrants.
Several EU member states, including Finland and Estonia, have accused Russia of allowing illegal migrants from the Middle East and elsewhere to enter EU countries through Russia without proper controls, undermining EU security.
(MH with AmBar/Source: Reuters/Photo: DPA/ ROPI /Michailidis/EUC)