The Nerazzurri started their Champions League campaign with a 2-2 draw against Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach at San Siro.
But Conte believes his side are slowly regaining an important ‘European status’ after reaching the Europa League final last season.
"I think Inter are slowly regaining an important European status,” Conte said.
“The beautiful journey of the last season [in Europa League] gave us more experience. We must continue to talk about mentality, the desire to play the game and to defend forward. I think it is the right way.”
Inter Milan faced Shakhtar in last season’s Europa League en route to the final and won 5-0, but Conte has called against being complacent.
"I think we can’t make comparisons because it was a game in which we were perfect,” Conte said.
“We were close to perfection in both phases and it will be important to repeat a very careful game from all points of view.
“Shakhtar are a strong team, with many Brazilians who are good tactically, technically and who are very quick.
“I never want to see passivity in the two phases. I want a team ready to attack the ball and create those situations that we’ve been working on during trainings.”
The Ukrainian giants surprisingly won the opening game of their Champions League group stage against Real Madrid last week.
“You don’t score three goals against Real Madrid without important values. We hope to make a good game and put on the pitch what we have prepared,” Conte insisted.
"We’ve watched their games and Shakhtar have surely watched ours’. They are a strong team, a reality of European football.
“Praise to them because they can always find very strong players [on the market]. I remember when I faced them in Champions League with Juventus, they had very strong players that nobody knew: Willian, [Darijo] Srna, [Henrikh] Mkhytarian and Fernandinho. Today they still have valuable players.
