A council in Italy’s northeastern Veneto region, is urging its national government to abandon EU international policy and recognise Crimea as being part of Russia. A resolution was carried calling for the change and subsequent lifting of economic sanctions against Moscow which the council says are crippling its economy.

Here’s our influential friends, the almighty Veneto Regional Council which recognized Crimea as part of Russia. pic.twitter.com/3bm0IOaBTz— Sergey Lavrov (@SovietSergey) May 18, 2016

Stefano Valdegamberi who is from the separatist Northern league said his region has suffered severe damage from the sanctions against Russia. “Our goods have been embargoed. With this vote, we want to send a strong message to the Italian government and the European Union to change the policy towards Russia.”

Opposition member Graziano Azzalin criticised the vote saying, “ Veneto is a region and not a sovereign state, it can not decide on foreign policy issues. This resolution will n