Italy summons Russian envoy after Moscow labels President Mattarella "hater"

Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani has summoned Russian Ambassador to Rome, Alexei Paramonov, to the Foreign Ministry in response to Moscow's decision to place President Sergio Mattarella and other Italian officials on a list of so-called "Russophobes."

The Italian Foreign Ministry issued a statement denouncing the move as a "provocation against the republic and the Italian people", as per Caliber.Az.

"Minister Tajani considers the inclusion of the head of state on this list to be a provocation against the country and the Italian people," the statement read. The Foreign Minister also conveyed both his political and personal solidarity with President Mattarella.

The diplomatic row further strains relations between Rome and Moscow, which have been deteriorating since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Tensions intensified last week when Italy cancelled a concert by a pro-Kremlin conductor.

Russia's Foreign Ministry added Mattarella to its list of Western figures accused of using "the language of hatred" against Russia. The inclusion of Mattarella—a ceremonial figure in Italy’s political system—reportedly stems from his past remarks comparing Russia’s war in Ukraine to Nazi Germany’s actions during World War II.

Other European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, were also named on the same list by Moscow.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been an outspoken supporter of Ukraine. Earlier this month, Italy hosted a major conference focused on Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. Since the start of the Russian invasion, Italy has accepted thousands of Ukrainian refugees.

By Tamilla Hasanova