Italy's populist gov't says 'No' to expand sanction against Russia

Italy will not support any renewal of European Union economic sanctions against Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini told a business conference in Moscow on Wednesday.

Russia has been subjected to EU sanctions since the 2014 Ukraine crisis. They have been repeatedly renewed by EU member states, with the latest round of curbs due to expire in January.

"If we are asked to confirm (the sanctions), we will say no," Salvini said in a Facebook live video from Moscow. "It's clear that it makes no sense that they are in place," he said.