Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini on 14 September in Milan advocated rebuilding his relation with Russia after the end of the war in Ukraine and allowed him to return to Russian gas. The Kremlin responded a day later: deliveries will be possible if Russia has natural material and considers trade profitable.
Salvini opens a political dispute after the war
Matteo Salvini met Italian entrepreneurs operating in Russia in Milan. The League leader, at the same time Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, argued that after the end of the war in Ukraine, trade, sports, academic and cultural contacts with the Russian Federation should be rebuilt. He called the permanent breakup a harmful solution.
In talks with Russian media, he besides allowed gas to be bought again. He pointed out the difference between current energy costs and prices a fewer years ago. It's a political statement, not a ready deal. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister besides laid down the basic condition: the war must first end.
Salvini's position fits into his wider criticism of European conflict policy. The politician pointed to the limited function of the European Union in peace talks and listed the United States, China and India as countries active in seeking a solution. For the League leader, returning to business talks is to be part of postwar order, not a concession in the course of Russian aggression.
Kremlin cools Italian expectations
Moscow accepted the message with interest, but without unconditional promise. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Pieskov stated that Russia could resume gas exports to Western Europe if supplies were profitable for it and if it had adequate volume. How stated the Italian agency ANSA, part of Russian natural material has already been directed to another markets.
It's an crucial reservation. For years Europe has treated Russian gas as a inexpensive pillar of manufacture and Russia has utilized energy as an influence tool. Returning to trade after the war cannot mean rebuilding the erstwhile dependency. Realism requires an account of costs, but besides of infrastructure protection, diversification of supply and capacity to operate during the crisis.
Salvini himself remains an crucial associate in the Italian coalition. His announcement to keep the elections within a constitutional deadline showed that Lega wanted to influence the government line at the same time and avoid an early solstice. However, the Russian subject may deepen the differences in the centre right of Giorgia Meloni.
Poland's interest is not a copy of Italy's interest
Italian economical calculation cannot be automatically transferred to Warsaw. Poland lies on the east flank of NATO, borders Belarus and is close to the theatre of war. Russian attacks in Ukraine trigger Polish aviation activities and remind that energy safety is part of national security.
Energy prices, industrial competitiveness and safety of supply are at stake for Poles. Each post-war deal with Moscow must be assessed according to these 3 criteria, with the memory of who started aggression. inexpensive natural material purchased at the price of strategical dependence can be very costly after years.
Salvini rightly opens the discussion about what Europe should look like after the war. However, realism must not be confused back into comfortable illusions. Poland needs peace and reasonable energy prices, but it cannot give Russia a tool of force on its own economy again.
Source: == sync, corrected by elderman ==, ANSA
