Italian PM names the most effective 'weapon' for peace in Ukraine
Photo: Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy (Getty Images)
Economic pressure on Russia is the most effective way to achieve peace in Ukraine, states Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to Reuters.
The head of the Italian government commented on whether Europe should ease the ban on importing Russian gas.
"The economic pressure that we have exerted on Russia over these years is the most effective weapon to help build peace, and therefore we must be very careful about how we move forward," Giorgia Meloni said in response.
She also expressed hope that progress toward peace between Ukraine and Russia would be achieved before a full ban on Russian gas imports is implemented.
Meloni’s statement came after the CEO of Italy’s largest oil and gas company, Eni, Claudio Descalzi, said it is unclear how to replace 20 billion cubic meters of Russian LNG.
Ban on Russian LNG imports
Following a decision by EU member states, a full ban on imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia is set to take effect in 2027.
However, amid the war between the United States and Iran, supplies of Russian LNG to Europe have surged.
According to the Financial Times, in the first quarter of 2026, imports from the Siberian Yamal LNG project increased by 17%.
