Italy: Lombardy approves resolution for lifting sanctions against Russia

The Regional Council of the Lombardy Region approved the resolution calling for lifting of the anti-Russian sanctions and affirming the right of the Crimea to self-determination, in Milan on Tuesday.
Proponent of the motion, Romeo Massimiliano, stated that the Italian Parliament and government call on European institutions to "recognise the will expressed by the Crimean Parliament and the Crimean people through a referendum held on March the 16th, 2014." He also said that dialogue with the Russian Federation should begin again, in part in order to strengthen international security and lead a "more efficient fight against terrorism."
Earlier in the year, Italy's regional council of Liguria and the northern region of Veneto both adopted a similar resolution, urging the national government to work toward lifting EU sanctions against Russia and denouncing the EU's position on the Crimean reunification.