Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking in Rome before an EU summit, criticized the US-Russia diesel deal as risky and legitimizing Moscow, and urged the EU to appoint a single negotiator for Ukraine talks.
The US-Russia deal to import 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel is a very risky choice that legitimizes Moscow while its bombs fall on Ukrainian cities, generates war revenue, and implicitly weakens sanctions.
The 27 EU nations should designate an authoritative figure with a mandate from all to lead European negotiations on the Ukraine conflict, so Europe speaks with a single voice.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, visiting London, thanked Giorgia Meloni on X for understanding who the aggressor is and what it means to build a dignified and lasting peace.
I thank Prime Minister Meloni for understanding who the aggressor is and what it means to build a dignified and lasting peace.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Italian media that Meloni's remarks were none of her business.
It is none of her business.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said at a press briefing in the European Parliament that Italy cannot go on indefinitely sending billions to Ukraine as gifts.
In Italy we cannot go on indefinitely sending billions, not as loans but as gifts, to Ukraine.
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