Giorgia Meloni insulted on television, Russian ambassador summoned to Rome

The government announced on Tuesday the summons of the Russian ambassador after the “serious and insulting statements” made by Russian presenter Vladimir Soloviev against the Italian Prime Minister.

Antonio Tajani, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced on Tuesday the summoning of the Russian ambassador in Rome to protest against the “very serious and insulting” statements made by presenter Vladimir Soloviev on Russian television against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. According to Italian media, Soloviev called Mrs. Meloni, in Italian, “shame of the human race,” “wild beast,” “certified idiot,” and referred to her as “Giorgia the bitch,” addressing the Prime Minister directly as “such a naughty little woman.”

“This Meloni is a fascist creature who has betrayed her voters, as she presented herself with completely different slogans,” the presenter continued in Russian. “Betrayal is her middle name, she shamelessly betrayed Trump, to whom she had previously sworn loyalty,” he added. The entire Italian political class, both majority and opposition, strongly condemned these remarks. Relations between Rome and Moscow have been tense since the Russian attack on Ukraine, with Italy offering unwavering support to Kiev.

“In its loathsome nature, a zealous propagandist of the regime cannot give lessons on consistency or freedom. But these caricatures will certainly not make us change course,” responded Mrs. Meloni that evening on X. “We only have one compass: the interest of Italy. And we will continue to follow it with pride, despite the propagandists from all sides,” concluded the Italian Prime Minister.