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Italian Deputy PM Urges EU to Restore Russian Energy Imports
(MENAFN) Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has called on the European Union to reconsider its ban on Russian oil and gas imports, arguing that the bloc should place greater emphasis on energy security, according to reports.
His remarks come as tensions in the Middle East have intensified Europe’s energy strain. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas is transported—have driven oil prices up significantly, with increases reportedly reaching as high as 70% since February.
Addressing a “Patriots for Europe” rally in Milan on Saturday, Salvini, who leads Italy’s Lega party, criticized both the EU Stability and Growth Pact and what he referred to as the “ideological monster called the Green Deal,” arguing that these policies are weighing down European economies. He urged a reversal of restrictions on Russian energy imports.
“To tackle the energy crisis, the rules of the Stability Pact must be suspended and Italians’ money must be used to help Italians in difficulty,” he said, calling on Brussels to align with Washington’s approach and lift sanctions he claimed are “blocking the trade and purchase of Russian oil.”
Reports indicate that the United States recently eased some restrictions on Russian oil shipments following Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz to “enemy ships” in response to US and Israeli military actions. A temporary authorization initially permitted the sale of oil loaded before March 12 through April 11, and was later extended to allow transactions of oil and petroleum products loaded up to that date until May 16.
“If the US is doing it, then Brussels should do the same: rather than shutting down factories, schools and hospitals, we should return to buying gas and oil from all over the world, including Russia. We are not at war with Russia,” Salvini said.
In contrast, the EU earlier this year approved a plan to phase out Russian pipeline gas by 2027, despite opposition from Hungary and Slovakia. Hungary has challenged the decision before the EU’s highest court, while Slovakia has indicated it intends to follow suit. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has argued that the ban represents “a clear violation of all the principles on which the EU treaties are based.”
His remarks come as tensions in the Middle East have intensified Europe’s energy strain. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas is transported—have driven oil prices up significantly, with increases reportedly reaching as high as 70% since February.
Addressing a “Patriots for Europe” rally in Milan on Saturday, Salvini, who leads Italy’s Lega party, criticized both the EU Stability and Growth Pact and what he referred to as the “ideological monster called the Green Deal,” arguing that these policies are weighing down European economies. He urged a reversal of restrictions on Russian energy imports.
“To tackle the energy crisis, the rules of the Stability Pact must be suspended and Italians’ money must be used to help Italians in difficulty,” he said, calling on Brussels to align with Washington’s approach and lift sanctions he claimed are “blocking the trade and purchase of Russian oil.”
Reports indicate that the United States recently eased some restrictions on Russian oil shipments following Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz to “enemy ships” in response to US and Israeli military actions. A temporary authorization initially permitted the sale of oil loaded before March 12 through April 11, and was later extended to allow transactions of oil and petroleum products loaded up to that date until May 16.
“If the US is doing it, then Brussels should do the same: rather than shutting down factories, schools and hospitals, we should return to buying gas and oil from all over the world, including Russia. We are not at war with Russia,” Salvini said.
In contrast, the EU earlier this year approved a plan to phase out Russian pipeline gas by 2027, despite opposition from Hungary and Slovakia. Hungary has challenged the decision before the EU’s highest court, while Slovakia has indicated it intends to follow suit. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has argued that the ban represents “a clear violation of all the principles on which the EU treaties are based.”
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