"Based on lowest estimates, the Italian economy has lost 6 billion euros as a result of sanctions. Many industrial spheres are in crisis," Salvini told reporters.
He added that local authorities across Italy would be glad to end the policy of sanctions and to resume the full-fledged relations as soon as possible.
"We are for lifting sanctions [against Russia]. We are not a federative state, a centralized state. Our mayors and our governors will be happy to resume full-fledged relations as early as tomorrow," Salvini explained.
Since 2014, relations between Russia and the European Union, including Italy, have deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions since Crimea became part of Russia in 2014 and over Moscow's alleged involvement in the conflict between the pro-independence eastern Ukrainian militias and Kiev. Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability.
