Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to engage in a deal involving Russian diesel, cautioning that it may financially empower Moscow and undermine the impact of Western sanctions. Speaking ahead of the European Council summit set for October 15–16, Meloni labeled the decision as risky and questioned its effectiveness in addressing the recent surge in fuel prices.
Meloni emphasized that the spike in energy costs is more closely linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, rather than the war in Ukraine. She highlighted the potential for the deal to provide additional revenue for Russia, which continues its military actions against Ukrainian cities, thus possibly weakening the collective Western effort to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiations.
In addition to her concerns about the energy deal, Meloni outlined Italy’s financial priorities in anticipation of the upcoming European summit. She insisted that any agreement on the European Union’s long-term budget should adequately protect Italian interests, as her government seeks greater budget flexibility amidst rising inflation and energy costs. This fiscal flexibility is crucial as Italy prepares its final budget before next year’s elections.
On the topic of defense spending, Meloni dismissed claims that increasing military investments would come at the expense of healthcare and education, asserting that defense funding serves a distinct purpose necessary for national security.
Meloni’s remarks reflect the broader European apprehension about the implications of U.S. energy policy on sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine, as well as the wider economic landscape. The Italian prime minister underscored the uncertain benefits of the diesel agreement compared to the apparent risks to Western diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia.