Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has openly criticized the United States' new energy initiative, describing the agreement on Russian diesel fuel as an extremely dangerous step. According to her, such arrangements could not only undermine the existing sanctions architecture against Moscow but also effectively legitimize Russia on the international stage, posing severe security threats to Europe.
Threats to the sanctions regime and war funding
The head of the Italian government stressed that the decision announced by the American leadership carries direct economic and geopolitical threats. Funding the Russian war machine through petroleum product supplies undermines Western allies' efforts to isolate the aggressor. Meloni emphasized that compromising in the energy sector with the Kremlin plays into the hands of the Russian economy in the long run, weakening the continent's overall security.
Rome's stance on supporting Ukraine
Addressing the national parliament ahead of the EU Council meeting, Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed Rome's unwavering strategic course of comprehensive support for Kyiv. She stated that any attempts to frame the capitulation of those defending their freedom as a peace settlement are completely unacceptable. A just peace, according to the Prime Minister, must be based on defending freedom and European interests.
Domestic context and reaction in the United States
Amid foreign policy debates, the Italian parliament faced internal friction: the Senate and Chamber of Deputies approved majority resolutions, though the opposition boycotted the vote over disputes regarding commitments to Kyiv. Meanwhile, in Washington, a bipartisan group of twelve US senators sent an official letter to the American leader demanding the immediate cancellation of the controversial deal with the Kremlin.
