In an interview with Sputnik, Manuel Vescovi, the initiator of the resolution and the head of the faction Lega Nord in Tuscany's Parliament, commented on the issue.
"I proposed a resolution, and then we discussed it with all factions, and unanimously voted in favor of its consideration. It calls on the regional parliament to put pressure on the Italian government to lift the embargo against Russia. These sanctions harm our businesses, and that's crazy. It's like someone cutting off their hands because they eat too much with them. This is nonsense," Vescovi told Sputnik.
Tuscany has become Italy's forth region, along with Lombardy, Liguria and Veneto, urging the national government to work toward lifting the sanctions imposed on Russia. The draft project of the document reads that if it is adopted, the regional government will activate the work with the Italian authorities in order to take any initiative which will help to overcome the issue of anti-Russian sanctions.
"The chain of regional resolutions against the sanctions will be continued and pressure on the government, too, until Europe undertakes some measures. It is crazy to distance ourselves from Russia because Russia won't wait, but will look for other markets," Vescovi said.
"If we lose these connections, then it will be difficult to restore them again. Russia is Tuscany's main partner in the field of tourism, exchange of goods and culture. It is a partner we shouldn't lose," he concluded.
Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability.
