Italy has backed the five rounds of sanctions the European Union has imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine - including in the energy sector - and will continue to do so in future, according to premier Mario Draghi.
"Italy has taken all the necessary decisions to defend its national security and that of Europe, Draghi said in an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday.
"We have supported the sanctions that the EU has decided to impose on Russia including in the energy sector and we will continue to do so with equal conviction in future," Draghi said.
Russian natural gas supplies make up 40% of Italy's gas imports, making it one of the most "exposed" EU member states, Draghi noted.
"Such energy dependence is imprudent from an economic point of view and dangerous from a geopolitical one," Draghi underlined.
The European Commission is expected to propose a sixth package of EU sanctions this week, including a potential embargo on buying Russian oil - a measure that has so far divided EU countries.
