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New sanctions against Russia will be an alibi, not constraining factor — Italy’s PM

Earlier, Italian media reported that Italy, which had put an issue of a relationship with Russia on the summit agenda
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi  AP Photo/Olivier Matthys
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi
© AP Photo/Olivier Matthys

BRUSSELS, October 21. /TASS/. New sanctions against Russia would more likely become an alibi for internal decisions than a constraining factor, Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Friday after the EU summit in Brussels.

"We have demonstrated the highest determination in pursuing a tough policy which does not consider new sanctions against Russia as they would become an alibi for making domestic decisions but not a restricting factor," Renzi said, noting that Italy was not the only nation to have such point of view.

"The final document of the Council of the European Union reflects the opinions of foreign ministers of the United States, Italy, Germany and France," he said adding the UK’s position was a bit different.

Along with this, the Italian prime minister expressed his satisfaction that "the positions on migration, Russia and trade were taken into account" at the summit.

"The result of our work is satisfactory," he said.

Earlier, Italian media reported that Italy, which had put an issue of a relationship with Russia on the summit agenda, insisted on removing the wording threatening sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s allies.