Italy's Salvini Calls Western Sanctions Against Russia Economic, Social 'Absurdity'

Italy's Salvini Calls Western Sanctions Against Russia Economic, Social 'Absurdity'

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said on Monday that Western sanctions against Russia are a social, economic and cultural "absurdity."

ROME (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2018) Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said on Monday that Western sanctions against Russia are a social, economic and cultural "absurdity."

"Over the course of these weeks there is a discussion in the European Union about the renewal of sanctions for an indefinite period of time without consulting with individual governments. I believed, I believe and I will always believe that sanctions are a social, cultural and economic absurdity," Salvini said at an assembly of Italian entrepreneurs.

Earlier in the day, the Council of the European Union adopted a new sanctions regime, which can be imposed on persons and entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons anywhere, regardless of their nationality and location.

"Sanctions close the market for Italian entrepreneurs, where they have been working for the last 10, 20 and even 30 years. And suddenly they are told for you, this market no longer exists. And then it will be difficult to return back," Salvini added.

Salvini will travel to Russia on Wednesday for a meeting with Italian industrialists to discuss challenges of doing business under sanctions.

The new Italian government, a coalition comprising the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the Eurosceptic Lega party, has consistently spoken in favor of lifting anti-Russia sanctions.

Nevertheless, the European Council decided on July 5 to extend restrictive measures against Moscow, introduced over Crimea's reunification with Russia and the latter's alleged involvement in the Ukraine conflict, for another six months until January 31, 2019.