Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to engage in a deal involving Russian diesel, cautioning that it could financially bolster Moscow and weaken Western sanctions against Russia. Speaking ahead of the European Council summit scheduled for October 15–16, Meloni criticized the move as risky, particularly questioning its effectiveness in addressing rising fuel prices, which she attributed more to the conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran than the war in Ukraine.
Meloni warned that introducing Russian diesel into the market could increase revenue for Moscow while its military continues to attack Ukrainian cities. She highlighted that such a deal might undermine the efforts of Western countries to press Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiations. The risks to Western diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia, she argued, are more evident than the potential benefits of the arrangement.
In addition to her comments on international energy policy, Meloni addressed Italy’s financial strategy ahead of the European summit. She emphasized the importance of securing an agreement on the European Union’s long-term budget that adequately protects Italian interests, as her government seeks greater budget flexibility amid rising inflation and energy costs.
Meloni also rejected the notion that increased defense spending necessarily detracts from other critical areas such as healthcare and education. She argued that defense funding serves a unique purpose and is vital to ensuring national security.
As Italy prepares its final budget before next year’s elections, Meloni underscored the significance of additional fiscal flexibility for the government. However, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti has cautioned that increasing scrutiny of Italy’s public debt could pose further financial challenges.
Meloni’s remarks underscore the growing concern among European leaders regarding the implications of U.S. energy policy on sanctions against Russia, support for Ukraine, and the broader economic outlook.