Sanctions against Russia have reached a deadlock and are hurting European economies, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
A vote opposing anti-Russia sanctions by the regional council of Veneto in Italy showed "the process of the anti-Russia propaganda in the context of Ukraine has reached an impasse", Xinhua quoted ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying.
The vote concerns the recognition of Crimea as part of Russia and lifting of anti-Russia sanctions.
Stefano Valdegamberi, a regional council lawmaker, said the anti-Russia sanctions were "a mistake".
Veneto has suffered from the negative economic impacts of the sanctions, according to Valdegamberi.
The EU has introduced several rounds of sanctions against Russia since 2014, accusing Moscow of being involved in the armed conflicts in Ukraine.
Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations, and took countermeasures in August 2014, banning certain food products imported from the countries that imposed restrictions against Russia.
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--IANS
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