Premier Mario Draghi reiterated on
Thursday that Italy was ready to back new European Union on
Russia, including energy measures, if necessary to put further
pressure on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.
"The European Commission has announced a new package of
sanctions that Italy supports with conviction," Draghi told a
press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is in
Rome.
"We are ready for new steps, including on the energy front,
together with our partners.
"The EU must show conviction and rapidity".
On Wednesday Draghi has said Italy would comply if the European
Union decided to impose an embargo on Russian gas.
An embargo of this kind would cause massive problems for Italy
as it imports around 40% of its gas from Russia.
"Do we want to have peace or do we want to have the air
conditioning on?" he said.
He said Italy's gas needs covered until October even if Moscow
turned off the supply of its gas.
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