Meloni: 'There must be no step backwards on sanctions against Russia. Optimistic about flexibility'

We try to do our part. Sanctions have been our best deterrent tool, we must not take steps backwards on this. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said this to reporters at the end of the European Council, explaining that, "in light of the news seen" it was "fundamental that there was clear language on the topic of sanctions".

On flexibility, the Prime Minister declared that she was optimistic after having "spoken" with President Ursula "von der Leyen about the requests that Italy has made regarding greater flexibility to deal with the complex situation that all member states are facing". "I think there is room for greater flexibility under the current rules also with reference to energy investments", he reiterated.

"I am happy with the fact - she continued - that the conclusions of the European Council include several questions that we had posed in recent weeks also in the document that we had written together with the Czech Republic relating to the issue of ETS: there is the reference to the Research Stability Market, to the ETS2, to the need to evaluate timing and safeguards with regards to the ETS2, and there is the reference to the revision of the ETS which is particularly urgent".

"We closed the negotiation with the European Commission on the so-called bill decree, i.e. on measures that we launched months ago that needed an ok from the European Commission, it was a long but constructive negotiation that led us to find a solution and it is very important because this allows us to intervene on the generation of the price of electricity and on the impact of the cost of gas". This was stated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the end of the European Council in Brussels. "These days, especially in the current context, it essentially allows us to intervene to lower bills. I consider it very important and I am very happy with this result," she added.

The Italian Government and the European Commission have in fact reached a common understanding on the measures envisaged by the Bills Decree (law decree 21/2026), in full compliance with the Middle East State Aid Framework and sectoral legislation. This was announced by Palazzo Chigi, explaining that the agreement comes "after intense and constructive exchanges between the Commission and the Italian authorities with the common objective of mitigating the impact of energy costs and limiting the effect of the increase in gas prices on the price of electricity for families and businesses, while at the same time preserving equal conditions in the internal market by minimizing distortions". "On this basis, Italy will notify the temporary measures to the Commission, in accordance with EU state aid rules, and the Commission will evaluate them as a priority", explains Palazzo Chigi.

The measure "will be temporary in nature - explains a Commission spokesperson - and will be designed to minimize distortions in the EU electricity market and to preserve incentives for long-term investments in clean energy. It will only offset the increase in gas costs and will not cover the costs of the ETS system, while ensuring the full transfer of benefits to final consumers". “We expect Italy to quickly notify its plans in accordance with European Union law,” he adds.