Kremlin-linked propagandist launched stream of insults at Italian prime minister on live television.
Italy summoned Russia’s ambassador to Rome on Tuesday after pro-Kremlin television presenter Vladimir Solovyov delivered a torrent of personal abuse directed at prime minister Giorgia Meloni during a live broadcast.
Speaking in Italian on Russian television, Solovyov called Meloni a “disgrace to the human race”, a “beast”, a “certified idiot”, and a “nasty little woman”.
Switching to Russian, he added that “this Meloni is a fascist creature who betrayed her electors,” and that “she even betrayed President Donald Trump.”
Reaction in Italy
Meloni responded on X, writing that “a diligent regime propagandist” was not in a position to lecture others on consistency or freedom, and that such “caricatures” would not alter her course. “Our compass remains one: the interest of Italy. And we will continue to follow it with pride,” she wrote.
Foreign minister Antonio Tajani summoned Russian ambassador Alexey Paramonov to the Farnesina to lodge a formal protest over the remarks.
President Sergio Mattarella sent Meloni a message of solidarity expressing his indignation.
Defence minister Guido Crosetto said he could not recall a state broadcaster from any nation launching such a vulgar and unacceptable attack on the head of government of another country.
Opposition parties also condemned the comments. Movimento 5 Stelle leader Giuseppe Conte called them “disgraceful”, while the Partito Democratic (PD) leader Elly Schlein said that insulting Italian institutional representatives was an insult to the entire country.
Vladimir Solovyov
Solovyov has presented a popular programme on Russia 1, the flagship state television channel, for 14 years.
The United States state department has previously described him as “the Kremlin’s most energetic propagandist.”
Since 2022, he has been subject to sanctions from the European Union, the US, Canada, and the UK.
The Navalny Foundation had previously revealed that he held ownership of two villas on Lake Como, subsequently seized, worth an estimated €8 million in total, as well as an Italian certificate of residence.
Rome-Moscow relations
The Russian ambassador to Italy, Alexy Paramonov, sought to downplay the incident.
Describing it as “a blunder by Italian authorities”, he wrote on X: “It is hardly poossible to consider the current reason for summoning to the Foreign Minister as standard practice in diplomacy”.
Relations between Rome and Moscow have been strained by Meloni’s firm support for Ukraine, reaffirmed during a visit by President Zelensky to Rome the previous week.
Photo credit: Stefano Costantino TTL / Shutterstock.com
