Italy is ready to impose eventual additional EU sanctions in Russia over its invasion of Ukraine “without any hesitation”, President Sergio Mattarella said Wednesday as he addressed the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg, adding that the war was giving thrust to the process of European unity.
The head of State added that “the sanctions framework is fully operational in Italy” when asked by a British Conservative delegate about whether all Italian companies were respecting the sanctions regime. “With respect for the principles of the rule of law and of the free-market economy that are in force in Italy and are respected, companies autonomously apply the consequent rules, as happens in countries that have a free market,” he said. “Russia’s aggression gives additional drive towards the unity of the European countries and peoples who believe in peace, democracy and the respect of international law and the rule of law”.
The flow of Russian gas to Italy is “regular” a spokesperson for gas-infrastructure company SNAM said Wednesday after Moscow cut supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. Gazprom said Wednesday that it had followed through on a threat to cut gas supplies to the two Eastern European countries after they refused to make payments in roubles. Italy has also said it will not pay for gas supplies in roubles, as demanded by Moscow following Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.
