Italy's Salvini: Russian Gas Return Hinges on Ukraine Peace

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, has stated that resuming imports of Russian natural gas would only be possible after the war in Ukraine ends. He signaled a conditional openness to future deals with Moscow. Salvini leads the League party, part of Italy's governing coalition. He made the remarks in a television interview. Before the conflict, Italy was heavily dependent on Russian gas. Since the invasion, Italy has successfully diversified its energy sources. It now imports gas from suppliers like Algeria, Azerbaijan, and Qatar. The European Union has also imposed major sanctions on Russian energy. Salvini’s statement marks a notable shift. He has historically been a pro-Russia voice in European politics. His new position ties any potential energy cooperation directly to a peace settlement in Ukraine. The Italian government's official policy remains aligned with EU sanctions. Salvini's comments highlight ongoing debates within Europe about long-term energy strategy and relations with Russia.