Italian Prime Minister MELONI told parliament ahead of an EU summit that the
US-Russia diesel supply agreement announced last week — under which Russia would
initially supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the US and global markets
— is a "high-risk choice" that runs counter efforts to pressure Putin into
negotiations. She said the outcome is uncertain but the risks are clear, arguing
the deal legitimizes Moscow, creates new wartime revenue and erodes the
effectiveness of sanctions while Russian strikes continue against Ukrainian
cities.
