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Berlusconi blasts West’s sanctions policy against Russia

The Italian politician said the policy of sanctions conducted by the West against Moscow is "absolutely counterproductive"

ROME, November 13. /TASS/. Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has promised that friendly relations with Russia will be restored if the centre-right bloc comes to power in the country.

Berlusconi, 79, one of Italy’s longest serving prime ministers, who now leads the Forza Italia party, took part in the Porta a Porta popular program on Thursday night broadcast on the national television.

The Italian politician said the policy of sanctions conducted by the West against Moscow is "absolutely counterproductive."

Berlusconi expressed confidence that this policy causes damage to Italy’s economy and pushes Russia away from Europe towards the forced rapprochement with the Eastern countries such as China or India.

The politician reminded that while in power he contributed towards ending the Cold War de facto and Russia’s joining the Group of Eight (G8). Russia was suspended from the G8 group in 2014 amid the Ukrainian crisis.