Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has criticized an agreement between the United States and Russia involving supplies of Russian diesel fuel.
Speaking before the Italian parliament on October 14, Meloni called the deal a “very risky choice” and said it ran counter to efforts to increase pressure on Moscow and push for negotiations over the war in Ukraine.
According to the Italian prime minister, the agreement weakens Western sanctions, provides Russia with additional revenue and gives Moscow greater political legitimacy.
The United States and Russia previously agreed on an initial supply of more than 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel to U.S. and global markets. Donald Trump said the decision was aimed at lowering fuel prices.