European Economy Commissioner and former centre-left Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni on Wednesday warned that Italian Left against pushing for an appeasement that would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to win his war of aggression in Ukraine.

“It is crucial, when talking about the Left in Italy, not to underestimate the threat from Russia,” Gentiloni told Skytg24.

“I think this has to be a bit of an obsession for us.

“I’m not saying we have to go to war, but we have to create the conditions for Putin not to win.

“Otherwise we’ll create the conditions for 10, 20 years of risk in Europe.

“I say those who argue that, by satisfying Putin’s ambitions, peace will be saved, are making a colossal blunder. I hope in good faith”.