Although it was a planned decision, it is still important. The European Union today approved the definitive disconnection from Russian gas, which will be fully effective on January 1, 2028. The announcement is significant because, as it is a legislative change, it will be a permanent decision, meaning it will not depend on what Vladimir Putin does in Ukraine. The disconnection from Russian gas will be permanent. Thus ends an era in which large European economies, such as Germany, were dependent on Russian gas, creating the paradox that, while Europe was helping Ukraine with one hand, with the other it was buying gas from Putin, thus helping to finance his war machine.

Before it exploded the war in Ukraine, almost 40% of all gas consumed in Italy came from Russia. But the war and sanctions imposed by the Kremlin forced the transalpine country to find alternative sources of supply. After Libya and Algeria, with which Rome signed several gas agreements, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentine President Javier Milei signed a memorandum this Friday to advance a project that will allow the production and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG).