(Dan Tri) – A senior Italian official said sanctions imposed on Russia were not as effective as expected and called on the West to negotiate with Russia.
Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto (Photo: Reuters).
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on May 6 that economic sanctions against Russia have failed and called on the West to try harder to negotiate a diplomatic solution with President Vladimir.
Crosetto told Il Messaggero daily that the West mistakenly believed that its sanctions could stop Russia, but that the West had overestimated the country’s economic influence in the world.
`Instead… the only way to resolve this crisis is with the participation of all parties, first to reach a ceasefire and then peace,` he urged.
When asked about the fact that the Russian side has not shown any signs of wanting to negotiate, Mr. Crosetto said: `That is a good reason for us to try harder. We must not give up any viable diplomatic path.`
However, Mr. Crosetto defended Italy’s decision to continue sending weapons to Ukraine, emphasizing that this was to help Kiev have `time and conditions to reach a ceasefire and peace agreement.`
He also warned that if the Russian army took control of Kiev, it `will certainly lead to conflicts with other countries, which will not accept Russian tanks on their borders`.
Russia has not commented on this information, but they have repeatedly emphasized that they have no plans to attack NATO because it does not bring any benefit.
In addition, the Italian Minister also said that Ukraine’s unsuccessful counterattack last summer was a mistake due to Russia’s superior military superiority.
Mr. Crosetto revealed that he personally warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that this plan would not succeed, but Kiev did not listen to this advice.
After Russia launched a military campaign in Ukraine more than two years ago, the West heavily imposed sanctions on Moscow to pressure the country to stop the war.
Late last year, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said sanctions could not harm Russia the way the West wanted.
`Furthermore, as always, the Russians have found a way to benefit from them,` Mr. Dmitry Peskov affirmed that Russia sought to turn the situation around when the West imposed sanctions on Moscow.
Mr. Peskov said that the Russian economy has gradually adapted and is ready to withstand Western sanctions for many more years.
`Russia has lived under the pressure of sanctions for decades, so now we can fully adapt to it. Sanctions that are due for another 5 years cannot threaten us.`
