ROME, September 24. /ITAR-TASS/. The EU sanctions against Russia run counter to Italy’s national interests, leader of the opposition far-right Northern League Matteo Salvini said on Wednesday.

“The fact that the new sanctions were approved despite the ceasefire agreement in southeastern Ukraine demonstrates that the EU and its masters [major bankers, financial moguls, and overseas partners] want to punish Russia by all means because Russian President Vladimir Putin protects his people’s interests without looking back at world technocrats and without Brussels’ bidding,” Salvini said in an exclusive interview with ITAR-TASS.

“Every day entrepreneurs, dealers, farmers and tour operators tell us they are indignant with the authorities’ policy when they carry out Brussels’ instructions as puppets and forget about the interests of the country, hit by the economic crisis. The EU and U.S. sanctions against Russia are absurd,” the European Parliament member said.

Salvini intends to expose the Northern League’s position during the first trip to Russia scheduled for October. The Northern League takes a critical stance towards the activity of Matteo Renzi’s government.

Salvini said he wanted to visit Crimea. “We recognised the referendum on the peninsula’s independence as legitimate,” he said.

If Italy gives up sanctions, the country can return to the atmosphere of privileged relations with Russia, Salvini said.

“The fact is that the current government led by Matteo Renzi was formed by certain forces to carry out the instructions of [German Chancellor] Angela Merkel, the ECB [European Central Bank] and the EU leadership. He won’t dare to lift a finger against the EU decisions. We come against such approach. We’re proud that only we oppose to the system of parties that support the sanctions,” Salvini said.