We should not buy Russian gas if we want to force Putin to negotiating table – Italian foreign minister
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani believes that the EU must maintain a consistent position on the purchase of Russian gas and oil if it wants to force Russia to come to the negotiating table.
Source: Tajani's statement, cited by Italian broadcaster Rai, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Tajani believes Europeans should stick to their position on Russian energy resources, especially given that alternative sources of supply have already been found.
"I believe we should not buy Russian gas, because when you take a certain stance, you must stick to it – I mean consistency… We are consistent. We have said that we will not buy Russian oil and gas, we have very good alternatives, and we are moving forward," Tajani said.
He also added that Rome is developing nuclear energy in order to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
According to Tajani, banning the purchase of Russian oil and gas is key to forcing Moscow to the negotiating table.
"I believe it is right to act consistently and move forward in a coherent way, because if we want to force Putin to sit down at the negotiating table, we need to send him signals… If we are tough in one area and then soft in another, he will continue to look after his own interests," said Tajani.
Background:
- European intelligence services report that the Russian economy has found itself in a "highly volatile state" as a result of its shift to a wartime footing. As a result, a major sanctions package targeting banks or a sustained fall in oil prices could act as a trigger.
- In April, Swedish military intelligence stated that windfall profits from oil had failed to restore Russia's economy, which remains in a difficult position.
- Meanwhile, Latvia's Constitution Protection Bureau noted that within Russia itself, there is recognition that sanctions are causing – and will continue to cause – significant damage.
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