Meloni warns of risky Trump-Putin gas deal and backs Ukraine at Senate briefing

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a Senate address in preparation for the upcoming European Council summit. She warned that the Trump-Putin diesel agreement poses a high risk, potentially normalising Moscow’s actions and undermining sanctions while fuel prices rise chiefly due to the Iran war. Meloni condemned Russia’s intensified autumn campaign against Ukrainian civilians, citing attacks on power plants, hospitals and the Kramatorsk bus tragedy.

She stressed that Italy will continue to back Ukraine’s defence and warned against any scenario in which Ukraine ceases resistance. Governing party senators rose to applaud her statements on both the gas deal and Ukraine support. The speech followed a meeting with President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale and preceded the EU summit where President Zelensky will appear.