Meanwhile, the Russian ambassador to Rome was summoned by the Italian government on Wednesday.
“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 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 Russia to Italy “to formally protest the inclusion of Mattarella [and others]”.
“Minister Tajani regards the inclusion of the Head of State in such a list as a provocation against the Republic and the Italian people, and expresses both his institutional and personal solidarity with President Mattarella,” the ministry said.
ANSA
