Giorgia Meloni warns U.S.-Russia diesel deal may undermine sanctions meant "to push Putin" to talks

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Parliament in Rome on Wednesday that a U.S.-Russia diesel-purchase agreement reached last Friday was risky and effectively endorsed Moscow while Russian strikes continue against Ukrainian cities. Ahead of a European Council meeting in Brussels, she cautioned that the deal weakens sanctions pressure and contradicts earlier measures by Washington and others that she said were meant to advance a diplomatic path. She warned the arrangement could undermine the sanctions tool.