Matteo Salvini says lifting EU sanctions vital to avert economic crisis
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has called on the EU to resume imports of Russian oil and gas, arguing that the bloc should prioritize energy security.
The war in the Middle East has exacerbated Europe’s energy crisis, as disruptions to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz – a key route handling about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows – have sent oil prices soaring as much as 70% since February.
speaking on a “Patriots for Europe” At a rally in Milan’s Piazza Duomo on Saturday, Salvini, leader of Italy’s Lega party, argued that the EU Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) and “The ideological monster called the Green Deal” Were stopping the country’s economy. He called for a reversal of the bloc’s ban on Russian energy imports.
“To deal with the energy crisis, the stability pact rules should be suspended and Italians’ money should be used to help Italians in difficulty,” He told supporters, urging Brussels to follow the US and lift sanctions “Blocking trade and purchases of Russian oil.”
The United States has temporarily relaxed sanctions on some Russian oil shipments after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. “Enemy Ship” In response to US and Israeli air strikes. A license initially allowed the sale of oil loaded on tankers before March 12 until April 11, and was extended on Friday to allow the purchase of oil and petroleum products loaded from that date until May 16.
“If the US is doing this, Brussels should do the same: instead of closing factories, schools and hospitals, we should be buying gas and oil from around the world, including Russia. We are not at war with Russia.” Salvini said.
In January, the EU formally approved a plan to phase out Russian pipeline gas by 2027, bypassing objections from Slovakia and Hungary. Hungary challenged the move at the EU’s top court in February and Slovakia has said it would follow suit. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico argued that the ban constitutes “A clear violation of all the principles on which the EU treaties are based.”
