"Tomorrow is only a press-conference for the occasion of submission of this draft resolution to the Council. The vote will take place in July, same as in Lombardia region. Lombardia regional council will vote on 4th or 5th of July, and I think the same is in Liguria," Gianluca Savoini said.
He added that his party was against anti-Moscow sanctions as they run against Europe's democratic values and should be lifted because of their harmful effect.
"Lega Nord is against sanctions because it is a shameful practice and against democratic values of Europe. It seems that the EU is operated in favor of different lobbies and the United States. Lombardia, Veneto [one more Italian region, whose parliament had already called for withdrawal of anti-Moscow restrictions] and Liguria and their regional governments are sending signals to Rome that sanctions are damaging the Italian economy and industry and ties with Russia," Savoini said.
In 2014, relations between Russia and the European Union, including Italy, deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions over Crimea's secession from Ukraine and reunification with Russia, accusing Moscow of meddling in the subsequent conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability. In response to the restrictive measures, Russia has imposed a food embargo on some products originating in countries that have targeted it with sanctions.
