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US-Italy relations amid US-Russia diesel deal

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2026-10-15 18:24 UTC → 2026-10-15 20:42 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Diplomatic relations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have undergone a period of fluctuation. Initially, Trump signaled a thaw in their relationship, describing it as ‘very good’ and stating, ‘I like her, I have always liked her.’ This followed previous tensions involving social media provocations and disputes over Italy’s stance on U.S. military operations against Iran. However, new friction has emerged regarding energy policy. Meloni has expressed strong opposition to a proposed U.S.-Russia diesel agreement announced by Trump, warning in the Italian Senate that the deal risks ‘legitimizing Moscow’ and could undermine Western sanctions. She noted that such an agreement might provide Russia with revenue to fund military operations in Ukraine. While Trump maintains the move will lower U.S. energy prices, Meloni has argued that reopening Russian energy supplies would not necessarily lower costs for consumers and warned that the strategy contradicts efforts to pressure Vladimir Putin toward negotiations. Addressing the Italian Parliament ahead of the European Council, Meloni further characterized the deal as a ‘very risky choice.’ She asserted that fuel price surges are primarily driven by the conflict in Iran rather than the war in Ukraine. She warned against any strategy that might lead to a Ukrainian surrender, which she described as ‘conquest’ rather than peace. In response to these geopolitical shifts, Meloni has proposed that the European Union appoint an authoritative figure to negotiate on behalf of the bloc regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. She reaffirmed Italy’s support for Kyiv and the Euro-Atlantic alliance, emphasizing that ‘without security, energy costs more; without energy, there is nothing to defend.’ The White House has defended the agreement, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers stating that President Trump successfully negotiated the deal to lower global diesel prices for farmers, truckers, and families.

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