Salvini: reopen to Russian gas once the conflict is over, no plans on fuel rationing

"It is clear that the cost of fuel is directly linked to what is happening in the Middle East. I have heard Minister Giorgetti, I have heard Minister Urso: just as the companies are very quick in the event of an increase in the cost of oil to increase prices at the pump, I hope that, given the collapse of these hours of the price per barrel, there will be an equal decrease at the pump'. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, is a guest at the Rome headquarters of the Foreign Press Association for a press conference barred from questions from Italian journalists. Relieved by the news coming out of the Middle East on the ongoing truce between the US and Iran, he calls for a rapid reduction in prices. "Because - he emphasises - we are approaching 2.20 euro per litre of diesel despite the discount that the Italia government, one of the few in Europe, has put of 25 cents per litre, so without that discount we would be close to 2.50 euro. Here, though, I hope that no one is being clever, no one is speculating on the skin of workers and commuters. So given the drop in the cost of oil, we expect an equally rapid drop in petrol'

At the same time, the minister confirms that 'there is no plan under consideration on fuel rationing, nor on closing schools, offices, factories and shops'. And also 'smart working is not to be considered' assures Salvini.

The government's economic priority, with the fuel price increase, remains to 'help struggling companies and families by overcoming the stability pact', described as 'a straitjacket'. 'I am confident,' he added, 'I think that Italia and Germany can become a majority. We ask that the pact can be waived to help businesses and families on heating, electricity and gas in the same way as it is for buying weapons'.

Russian agencies are pressing Salvini on the possibility of Italia reopening to oil and gas supplies from Moscow, since the Carroccio has long been pressing for the easing of sanctions in the wake of the Trump administration. But the vice-premier does not mince his words. "Resuming energy supplies, and specifically gas, from Russia I hope can be a prospect with arms laid down between Kiev and Moscow. Because right now talking about business with a war going on is complicated,' he concludes. So no leap forward by Italia with the conflict still in progress. And to those who ask for an opinion on the possible Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump, he replies more cautiously than usual: 'Let's see how open conflicts go. In the past the Nobel was given a priori. Let's see in Iran, Lebanon, Ukraine, Venezuela and Cuba how things go. We wait with hope'

As for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the hope is for a 'diplomatic solution' because 'that someone wins on the ground is hardly conceivable'. 'We have continued to vote compactly for sending aid to Ukraine,' Salvini argues, 'but if you do the same thing for four years and get no results, perhaps you have to change perspective. While Ukraine's entry into the EU 'does not seem to me to be topical', the deputy prime minister cuts in short.