17/07/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 16 July, Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini threatened to veto the continuation of EU sanctions against Russia. "We want to convince with good manners, with the art of democracy, figures and proof. The veto on the EU sanctions against Russia is a 'last resort' that the Italian government considers it will not be necessary to use, but which is nevertheless not excluded", he told press in Moscow, adding that Italy was the EU country that suffered the most from the sanctions. In June, Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he was in favour of a "review" of the economic sanctions. These were extended in early July and run until 31 January 2019 (see EUROPE 12056). (CG)