Italy's foreign minister informed the upper house of parliament on Thursday, that additional sanctions were necessary to exert pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
The U.S. and European Union said they are working to align their efforts, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating on Wednesday that the EU is considering an accelerated phase-out of Russian fossil fuels as part of new sanctions.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the Senate, "We must increase pressure on Putin to bring him to the negotiating table. This requires using every available tool to disrupt the financing of his war effort, including new sanctions."
Tajani, who is also a deputy prime minister in Giorgia Meloni's government, emphasised that the EU was working on a 19th sanctions package, which would significantly affect financial flows.
The EU is expected to source about 13% of its gas from Russia this year but is negotiating legal measures to halt Russian oil and gas imports by 1 January, 2028.
Tensions between Russia and the West have escalated since Poland reported shooting down suspected Russian drones in its airspace with support from NATO aircraft.
Tajani also reiterated Italy's proposal to extend NATO's collective defence umbrella to Ukraine, without granting it full membership, in order to provide security guarantees should a peace agreement be reached.
"The starting point is to define a collective security clause that would allow Ukraine to benefit from the support of all its partners, including the United States, if it is attacked again," Tajani said.
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Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Azerbaijan is evacuating nearly 200 people from the Middle East on a special charter flight departing from Oman.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
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