EU sanctions on Russian oil clash between Salvini and Tajani

Risingfuel costs also due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the arm of the sea transit route for the transport of oil and liquefied natural gas, and the government is divided over the green light to buy Russian oil, with the League and Forza Italia remaining on distant positions. "The United States has eased sanctions on Moscow. I think that Italia and Europe should consider the same pragmatic choice,' said League secretary Salvini, 'It's not a question of being pro-Putin. Not wanting Russian athletes at the Paralympics or Russian artists at the Venice biennale does not mean defending Ukraine, it means being foolish. So Trump in my opinion did the right thing,' added the deputy premier and League secretary. Opposing the line of the other vice-premier, Fi leader Antonio Tajani: 'Keep sanctions against Russia? Absolutely yes,' he said. Italia was among the countries that promoted pushing Moscow to a ceasefire. There too we want the war to end as soon as possible'.

The long-distance confrontation opened with the words of the Lega Nord member. "There is the main power of the Western Free Alliance and the leader of NATO, namely the United States, which has loosened sanctions against oil coming from Russia," Salvini recalled. "They have made a pragmatic choice and I believe that Italia and Europe must consider the same pragmatic choice. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an election appointment at a gazebo at Ponte Milvio in Rome for the referendum on justice, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure added. "It is not a question of being pro-Putin it is not a question of being pro-Putin anti-Putin. That is, not wanting Paralympic athletes at the Paralympics not wanting Russian artists at the Venice biennale is not defending Ukraine is being foolish. So Trump in my opinion did the right thing'. And again: 'I have expressed a position that many others are expressing. I repeat, in the wake not of Putin, but of the United States of America leading Nato. Then we are in a government with other parties: I have expressed my opinion, others will express theirs. I see that at the moment those who are losing out and paying the most are us, that's all. In my opinion it's wrong, I have my say'.

Tajani took the opposite view. "Absolutely yes. Italia was among the countries that promoted sanctions against Russia to push Moscow towards a ceasefire. There too we want the war to end as soon as possible: we are in favour of every initiative, we have supported the American action and we hope that the talks between the two sides can go in the right direction even if it is very difficult, peace is the ultimate goal,' the Foreign Minister said on the sidelines of a party initiative on the referendum, responding to those who asked him whether he thought the sanctions on Russia should be maintained.

'What I think I have said, it's not that I have to comment, it's your opinion, I respect all ideas,' Tajani added.