Meloni warns US-Russia diesel deal could benefit Moscow
The United States and Russia said last week they had agreed on an initial supply of more than 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel to US and global markets.
Speaking in the Italian parliament ahead of a European Union summit this week, Meloni said the agreement could provide Moscow with additional revenue to fund the war and weaken the impact of sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine, according to Reuters. “The outcome of this decision is uncertain, while the risks are clear,” she said. Earlier reporting noted: U.S.-Russia deal on diesel is ‘very risky choice,’ says Italy PM Giorgia Meloni “The deal between the United States and Russia over diesel supply is a “very risky choice” that runs counter to efforts to force Vladimir Putin to sit at a negotiating table with Ukraine ,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday (October 14, 2026). Earlier reporting noted: “The outcome of this decision is uncertain, while the risks are clear,” Ms. Meloni told the Italian Parliament ahead of an European Union (EU) summit this week. Earlier reporting noted: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticised the accord, calling it “an investment in a war that must be ended.”
Trump defends diesel deal as Ukraine objects
Russian deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has said Moscow could supply as much as 3.5 million tonnes of diesel a month to global markets by the end of the year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the proposed suspension of sanctions on Russian oil products until April 2027 would undermine Ukraine’s efforts to restrict Russia’s income from energy exports.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday criticised the United States’ agreement with Russia on diesel supplies, calling it a “very risky choice” that could undermine efforts to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table over the war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump has defended the arrangement, saying it would help bring down energy prices for American consumers ahead of crucial midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. The arrangement has drawn criticism from Ukraine, which has argued that additional Russian petroleum revenues could help fund Moscow’s war effort.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that Ukraine’s financing would be “front and centre” at the meeting. Her remarks come ahead of an EU summit at which support for Ukraine, including its war funding, is expected to be a key issue.