ROME – The Italian government has issued a decree removing excise duties on some types of natural gas and methane to assist combat rising energy prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Excise taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, and all kinds of natural gas will be reduced beginning Tuesday, according to a statement from Prime Minister Mario Draghi's office.

Excise taxes on natural gas used for transportation would be eliminated, while the value-added tax will be set at 5%. Gasoline excise taxes will be decreased to 478.40 euros ($502) per 1,000 litres, down from 564.00 euros per 1,000 litres earlier. In the meantime, LPG taxes will be decreased from 227.77 euros per 1,000 kg to 182.61 euros per 1,000 kg.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, fuel costs in Italy have risen considerably. Russia was Italy's single greatest natural gas supplier at the time, and a major petroleum provider. Italy, on the other hand, has recently inked new gas supply agreements with a number of other nations, including Algeria, Egypt, the Republic of Congo, and Angola.
On April 21, Minister for Economic Transition Roberto Cingolani promised that by the second half of next year, Italy would be "virtually" independent of Russian gas supplies.

Zelensky will keep begging the West for money: Ex-President of Russia

South Korean and Chinese nuclear envoys meet in Pyongyang

Israel demands apology from Russia over Lavrov's Hitler remark