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Italian PM: Brexit to hit UK hardest

TASS first deputy director general Mikhail Gusman has interviewd the Italian top official

© AP Photo/Frank Augstein

ST. PETERSBURG, June 17. /TASS/. Leaving the European Union would hit the United Kingdom hardest, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Friday.

"I am not so pessimistic about it as I think that British people will not leave the EU and will vote for remaining in the EU," Renzi said in an interview with TASS first deputy director general Mikhail Gusman

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"I am an optimist. I think the British will stay but we’ll see," said Renzi who is taking part in the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.

"If British people vote for Brexit, this will hit them hardest. Of course, this will be a problem but a small problem for the EU and a major problem for Great Britain," he added.

"The referendum is a serious issue but not so dramatic for Europe," the prime minister said.

On June 23, the United Kingdom will hold the EU referendum. The British voters will be offered to answer the question, "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?"

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Russia starts humanitarian electricity supplies to Abkhazia — minister

Abkhazia’s state-run energy company Chernomorenergo said that there will be just two two-hour shutdowns

Ukrainian troops attempt counterattacks on Vasilyevka direction in Zaporozhye Region

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No real impulses for organization of Putin-Trump meeting so far — Kremlin spokesman

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Ukraine launches over 18 strikes on Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

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Russia ready to normalize relations with US without detriment to its interests — Putin

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Kiev takes out its anger for military defeats on Russian people — diplomat

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Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass area, Kharkov Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicts 480 casualties on Ukrainian army over past day

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The Ukrainian military also admitted the Russian army’s supremacy in terms of military equipment and the size of personnel

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Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

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Putin holding talks with visiting Slovak PM

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Ukraine loses over 300 troops, two Bradley vehicles in Kursk Region in past day

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