Moscow Summons Italian Diplomat Over Alleged Anti-Russian Media Campaign

Moscow: The Russian foreign ministry summoned the Italian charg© d’affaires in Moscow, Giovanni Scopa, to lodge a protest against what it claims is an “anti-Russian campaign” by Italian media outlets.

According to Ansa News Agency, the protest also addressed the Italian government’s reaction to a Russian foreign ministry list that accused certain Italian figures of making statements considered “hate speech” against Russia. The list included notable figures such as President Sergio Mattarella, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. In response to the list, the Italian government had previously summoned the Russian ambassador to Rome, and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni publicly condemned the move.

Premier Meloni reiterated Italy’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, emphasizing Italy’s stance against what she described as Russian aggression initiated three years ago. She criticized the publication of the list as a propaganda tactic intended to shift focus away from Russia’s actions, which she noted have been condemned by the international community since the beginning of the conflict.

Meloni expressed her solidarity with President Mattarella and the other Italian figures named in the list, denouncing the act as an unacceptable provocation. President Mattarella has been particularly criticized by Moscow following his comparison of Russia to the Nazi Third Reich during a speech at the University of Marseilles in February.