U.S.-Russia deal on diesel is 'very risky choice,' Italy PM Meloni says
USO•Giorgia Meloni called the U.S.-Russia diesel supply deal a “very risky choice,” saying it could weaken sanctions and help finance Russia’s war. The countries said Moscow would initially supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets.
1. Meloni criticizes deal
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told parliament the U.S.-Russia deal on diesel supply runs counter to efforts to bring Vladimir Putin to negotiations with Ukraine. She said the outcome was uncertain while the risks were clear.
2. Risks cited
Meloni said the deal could give Moscow legitimacy as its bombs continued to fall on Ukrainian cities, generate revenue to finance the war and implicitly weaken sanctions. The United States and Russia said last week that Moscow would initially supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets.
