ROME, November 20. /TASS/. The conflict in Ukraine is shifting from a "proxy war" to a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, according to columnist and analyst Elena Basile, Italy’s former ambassador to Brussels.

The previous day, she unveiled her new book, The West and the Permanent Enemy, at the Russian Embassy in Italy. In the book, she examines the underlying causes of the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the situation in the Middle East, particularly in the context of the evolving global order.

Commenting on Ukraine's long-range missile strikes on Russian territory, Basile remarked, "US President Joe Biden has decided to make the task of resolving the Ukraine conflict even more difficult for his successor [Donald Trump]." She also agreed with the Russian leadership's assertion that such weapons could only be used with direct assistance from Western military forces. "These systems cannot be operated without proper training," she stated. "Naturally, this leads to escalation. What began as a proxy war is now transitioning to the stage of direct confrontation involving NATO," the expert explained.

"We are even closer to a nuclear disaster. In a time when you seek only to demonize your adversary, unwilling to recognize his legitimate security concerns, dialogue and diplomacy are impossible," the author explained.

Basile has dedicated 38 years to diplomacy and work in related missions. However, due to her criticism of European institutions and Western policies, particularly in terms of the Ukrainian conflict, and her exposure of the hypocrisy of ruling circles, she has been labeled an "undesirable person" and discredited in major media outlets. She is a regular columnist for Il Fatto Quotidiano and the author of several widely acclaimed books. Discussions are currently underway about translating her works into Russian.