Top diplomats from Italy and Russia discuss Libyan instability and migration
Today, Angelino Alfano will meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Rome. Solutions to the geopolitical crisis in the former Italian colony of Libya will top the agenda.
Although the number of migrants reaching Italian shores from Libya has decreased by over 80% from 2016 levels, Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni’s government remains concerned that an unstable Libya will continue to serve as a springboard for migrants trying to reach Europe.
Drawn toward supporting General Khalifa Haftar– a rebel leader opposed to the Western-backed Government of National Accord– the Kremlin looks to play a role in the brokering of peace and the establishment of a Libyan government over which it can exert influence.
To exert its role in shaping the future of the war-torn country, expect Russia to continue to engage Italy, a more active player in the Libyan peace process. In turn, the Italians are likely to continue to press the long-term economic and domestic security implications of continued refugee flows onto Italian soil.
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