Meloni warns US-Russia diesel deal legitimizes Moscow and weakens sanctions

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the US-Russia diesel deal as "very risky" and a legitimization of Moscow while it continues bombing Ukrainian cities, warning it weakens the sanctions leverage against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked her, while Russia's foreign ministry dismissed her remarks. Meloni made the comments in Parliament on Wednesday before the European Council, arguing the deal contradicts prior efforts by the US and others to push Putin toward negotiations. She also said Putin is provoking Europe to divert attention from the conflict, reaffirming Italy's unchanged support for Ukraine. Meloni urged France, Germany, and Britain to negotiate on behalf of all EU members with an official mandate, calling for a single European voice. Her coalition is divided, with Deputy PM Matteo Salvini opposing further aid to Ukraine, citing other EU states buying Russian energy.