Many Italians agree with Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Italy Matteo Salvini, those who declared the other day that the Ukrainian Maidan was fake, and the Crimean referendum of 2014 was legal.
About this Kyiv online newspaper "Country" said Italian journalist Fabio Morra, according to whom, the fact that Salvini is sympathetic to the Crimean issue is not surprising, since he himself advocates autonomy for the northern regions of Italy.
“He had a clear position on Russia, which he never hid. Salvini, like most Eurosceptics, defends the lifting of sanctions on Russia. He is convinced that this will be beneficial for Italy. And many Italians agree with him, since their business is suffering due to sanctions and there is an economic crisis in the country. Naturally, one’s own wallet outweighs the interests of Ukraine, which is known more as a supplier of “badante” – caregivers for elderly Italians,” notes the publication’s interlocutor.
At the same time, he draws attention to the fact that no one in the EU officially condemned the statement of the Italian Deputy Prime Minister.
“This may indicate that, firstly, it is not profitable for the EU to quarrel with Italy, especially now, when the issue of refugees has arisen with renewed vigor. Italy, which is currently suffering the most from the influx of illegal immigrants, tried to block this issue at the EU summit, which is disadvantageous to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She is trying to resolve a refugee problem that has threatened her government. Against this background, the Ukrainian issue faded into the background.
In addition, it is no secret that European society is growing tired of Ukraine, with its corruption and internal conflicts. And in the political establishment, arguments in favor of lifting sanctions against the Russian Federation are increasingly being heard. However, as long as Italy is in the European Union, Rome will vote unanimously on the issue of sanctions with other countries. No one will openly go against Brussels - otherwise the EU will face a split and crisis,” says Morra.
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