Russian opposition political
activist Alexei Navalny has blasted alleged "links" between
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italy's League and 5-Star
Movement political parties in an exclusive interview with ANSA.
"The links between the Putin regime and the Italian
establishment are irrational and quite irritating," Navalny
said.
"Those with the extreme right parties are incomprehensible,
as in the case of the Northern League, which loves Putin and
Putin loves them a lot. But their ideologies are opposite.
"I'm very sorry that the 5-Star Movement has a position
favourable to Putin because, on the basis of everything they
say, they should hate him".
Navalny told ANSA that Italy should be a friend of the
Russian people, not its oligarchs.
"There is a solid relationship between Italy and Russia and
the Russians consider the Italians a special people," Navalny
said in the interview, the first given to the Italian media
after his election exclusion.
"I'd like to see a more active position by Italy on
individual sanctions because your country is a major destination
for the dirty money of the oligarchs, who steal here and then go
and have fun in your resorts.
"I'd like it to be more a friend of the Russian people and
less of Putin's oligarchs".
Navalny said he is not giving up his political battle in
Russia and blasted Putin's administration as "feudal".
"Vladimir Putin has chosen to stay in power with the
president-for-life formula and he is building a feudal system
based on family clans, who now control 85% of our economy,"
Navalny said.
"Today independent political activity in Russia entails
risks, but I'll keep going, there's no alternative.
"We are fighting for our right to participate in the
construction of Russia's future".
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