Live updates: Russia, Ukraine trade naval mines accusations

The official noted that while Conte was premier Italy increased its military spending 17%, from 21 billion euros to 24.6 billion euros.

Conte told reporters Monday that he did not want to put the government at risk but added ‘’we are the largest party and we have a right to be heard.’’

— Associated Press writer Colleen Barry contributed from Milan.

WARSAW — Poland’s government has decided to block imports of coal from Russia, part of an overarching strategy to reduce energy dependence that gained new urgency after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Poland will impose financial penalties on any private entities importing Russian coal into Poland, with Polish customs officials carrying out checks, government spokesman Piotr Mueller said as he announced the new policy on Tuesday.

He added that Poland could no longer wait for the whole 27-nation European Union to embrace the policy.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU, the United States and some other powers imposed a range of economic sanctions on Russia. But Europe has historically been dependent on Russian energy sources.

And while Poland produces much of its own coal, it also relies on imports. Russian coal makes up 13% of the fuel used each year, according to Piotr Lewandowski, the president of the Institute for Structural Research in Warsaw.