Premier Giorgia Meloni hit back hard and the Russian ambassador to Rome was summoned by her Italian government on Wednesday after President Sergio Mattarella, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto were included on a list of alleged "Russophobes" compiled by Moscow.
"Italy has firmly chosen to stand by Ukraine in the face of the brutal war of aggression unleashed by Russia, three years ago now, and continues to pledge its support to the Ukrainian people in their heroic resistance," Meloni said in a statement.
"The Foreign Ministry's publication of a list of alleged 'Russophobes,' accused of 'inciting hatred' against Russia, is nothing more than yet another propaganda operation, aimed at diverting attention from Moscow's serious responsibilities, which are well known to the international community and which the international community has condemned from the beginning.
"I would like, therefore, to express my solidarity to President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, Ministers Antonio Tajani and Guido Crosetto and all those who were the recipients of this unacceptable provocation." The Italian foreign ministry said Tajani had ordered the summoning of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Italy "to formally protest the inclusion of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, along with other institutional figures of the Italian Republic, in a list of alleged 'Russophobes.
