On Wednesday, the Italian government announced its intention to summon the Russian ambassador in response to President Sergio Mattarella’s inclusion in a list created by Moscow that accuses Western leaders of harboring anti-Russian sentiments.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remarked in a statement, “The release of a list of alleged ‘Russophobes’ who are said to incite animosity towards Russia represents yet another instance of propaganda.”
On July 24, the Russian Foreign Ministry released a list it described as containing instances of “hate speech” directed at Russia by members of Western elites, which included a statement made by Mattarella during his address at Aix-Marseille University last February.
During his speech, the Italian president drew a comparison between Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the aggressive wars waged by Nazi Germany.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has not yet provided a response to a request for comment from Reuters.
