Tajani: 'Fi doesn't want to harass the banks, our position is different from the League'

"FI has always said that we must not harass the banks. We have managed to keep out the local banks, the cooperative credits, and it is already a success. We continue to say that we must not have a punitive attitude towards the banks. They have to make sacrifices, but they have also achieved very positive results". Deputy Prime Minister and FI leader Antonio Tajani said this on Mattino Cinque.

"There was no tax on extra profits, but to close the budget a contribution was needed - he added - We also asked it from insurance companies and energy companies: we asked it from those who can do it. Our position is different from that of the League. We have always defended the Italian banking system and we will continue to do so".

The minister then spoke about the Ukrainian issue. "Forza Italia is on Ukraine's side. The package will leave, Giorgetti will sign as soon as he arrives in Rome. I said that we had all signed because the Ministry of Economy had already signed it. The League has legitimate positions, but the government's line is to help Kiev."

"We are not at war with Russia - he reiterated - and in fact I always talk about 'pro-Russian' hackers, I don't say 'Moscow'. Their goal is to create panic. I don't know why they are angry with us, we are not at war with them, we only defended Ukraine's right not to be invaded by Russia. We condemned the attacks against the civilian population, and our weapons serve to defend it, but we also sent generators for the civilian population, for women and children".