Russian ambassador Paramonov comments on the meeting between Salvini and entrepreneurs in Russia

Yesterday's meeting in Milan between Italian entrepreneurs operating in Russia and the Minister of Transport and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini "testifies to the incipit of a return of the Italian establishment to realism, pragmatism and common sense". The Russian ambassador to Italy, Alexei Paramonov, said this. "I hope that the assessments expressed here will be brought to the attention of the other leaders of the Italian government and the competent ministers", added Paramonov in a note posted on the embassy's Telegram channel.

Salvini met yesterday in Milan with a delegation of Italian entrepreneurs operating in Russia, accompanied by Vittorio Torrembini, president of the Gim Unimpresa association, which organized the initiative.

According to the Russian ambassador, "from first-hand experience, entrepreneurs see how much their opportunities have been reduced since the European Union de facto declared a hybrid war on Russia, of which anti-Russian sanctions are one of the main tools."

"Their application - continues Paramonov - has led to the almost total cessation of energy cooperation between Russia and Italy, causing serious damage to bilateral trade, the volume of which has been reduced by almost ten times. It does not seem possible, in the Italian energy balance, to replace the volumes of energy resources at affordable prices that previously came from Russia. Nor is it possible to quickly and effectively identify new outlets for traditional Italian exports".

The Russian ambassador also states that in Italy "there is a growing awareness that the line taken was a mistake and that it would be appropriate to start reflecting on ways to restore and relaunch economic relations with Russia, which were recklessly interrupted".