Fabio Massimo Castaldo was commenting on the Italian governmnet’s call on the EU not to automatically extend its anti-Russian sanctions. He welcomed the clear desire by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to show understanding for local manufacturers hit hard by the reciprocal sanctions.
“I beleive the EU’s [decison to introduce sanctions against Russia] was shortsighted, and this is a new attempt to start discussing something which until now has been deemed as a final decison. Personally, I don’t think that this feeble attempt by the Italian government will be enough to change the EU’s position, especially now that Poland, the Czech Republic and other East European countries insist that the sanctions stay,” Castaldo told RT.
“No effective power transition in Syria is possible without Russia’s diplomatic help. Moreover, we have already realized the futility of these sanctions,” the Italian MEP added.
When asked if Europe was one on the issue of the anti-Russian sanctions, Fabio Castaldo said that there was no desire to support the extreme position of some Eastern European states which hold a historical and ideological grudge against Moscow.
“The sanctions policy is not fair; it will take us nowhere and will not help change the situation in Ukraine. We must find a political solution by way of talks, not just a set of sanctions, which are too many. The EU’s sanctions against Russia are creating new problems, rather than solving existing ones,” Fabio Castaldo said in conclusion.
