Matteo Salvini, the leader of Italy’s far-right League party, sparked controversy on Sunday by questioning the effectiveness of European sanctions imposed on Russia to sanction the invasion of Ukraine.
“Several months have passed and people are paying their bills two or even four times more, and after seven months the war continues and the coffers of the Russian Federation are filling up with money,” he told RTL radio before addressing The European House. Ambrosetti Economic Forum in Cernobbio, northern Italy. “Are the sanctions working? No. To this day, those who have been sanctioned are winners, while those who have implemented the sanctions are on their knees,” he tweeted the day before. “Obviously someone in Europe is miscalculating: it is essential to rethink the strategy to save jobs and businesses in Italy,” she said.
“Putin couldn’t have said it better”
Enrico Letta, leader of the Democratic Party (PD), one of his main opponents in the current campaign for the legislative elections on September 25, responded immediately in a tweet: “I think Putin could not have said it better.” “When I listen to Salvini talk about sanctions, I feel like I’m listening to Putin’s propaganda. I’m worried about a country like Italy, which winks at Russia,” the minister for the South, Mara Carfagna, reacted on the sidelines. of the economic forum organized on the shores of Lake Como.
Links between Matteo Salvini and Moscow have raised concerns in Italy, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine, at the risk of hampering his party and its Forza Italia and Fratelli d’Italia (post-fascist) allies in the election campaign. In contrast, Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the Fratelli d’Italia, which is leading in the polls, has taken clear positions in favor of supporting Ukraine and sending weapons to Kyiv.
A debate organized by The European House – Ambrosetti would bring together the main party leaders, including Giorgia Meloni, Matteo Salvini and Enrico Letta.
Source: BFM TV
