Italy and the United States sign a joint declaration to strengthen energy security through LNG supplies, as the EU prepares tighter sanctions on Moscow.
EU considers faster exit from Russian fossil fuels
Strengthening LNG supplies between the United States and Italy is now a priority to reinforce cooperation on energy security. The two governments have signed a joint declaration just as the European Union considers accelerating the phase-out of Russian oil and gas. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the measures would be part of the new sanctions package against Moscow, outlined in her 2025 State of the Union address.
The United States is pressing Europe to cut Russian supplies as quickly as possible. EU officials are in Washington this week to align positions on new sanctions, with both Washington and Brussels signaling support for tougher measures to curb Moscow’s revenues. Trump also pushed Brussels to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China and India to increase pressure on the Kremlin. On September 10, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc is considering a faster phase-out of Russian fossil fuel imports as part of the 19th sanctions package against Moscow, still under preparation.
The EU has already banned seaborne crude oil imports from Russia and capped the price of Russian oil. In recent years, Brussels has targeted more than 400 tankers linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. Under the Commission’s draft regulation, the first bans would take effect in 2026, with a full stop to new contracts from 2028.
Resistance from Hungary and Slovakia
Any new measures would require unanimous approval among EU states, but Hungary and Slovakia remain opposed to reducing gas imports, citing risks of higher energy prices. From the start of the war in Ukraine to the end of 2024, the two countries imported 27 million tons of crude worth €13 billion and 32 billion cubic meters of natural gas worth €20 billion.
Promoting LNG from the US to Italy
Seeking alternatives to Russian supplies, Italy and the United States signed a joint declaration on September 8 to expand energy cooperation, including greater exports of liquefied natural gas. Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum pledged to promote a “steady and secure” flow of LNG from the US to Europe.
The two governments did not disclose figures or timelines. Pichetto Fratin said the agreement reflects the shared priority of Rome and Washington to strengthen energy security by diversifying sources and routes.
The deal is expected to encourage investment in LNG import and regasification infrastructure in Italy, as well as in US facilities to secure supplies. According to Pichetto Fratin, LNG from the US ensures stable deliveries, thanks to the reliability of shipping routes compared to others exposed to geopolitical risks.
“Italy welcomes the growth of US LNG imports,” the minister added, “as an integral part of our strategic cooperation in response to the effects of the war in Ukraine.”
