Vladimir Solovyov, a Kremlin-aligned broadcaster, attacked Meloni on air with crude epithets and accusations of betrayal. Italy's Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador.
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Russian television host Vladimir Solovyov, a prominent voice aligned with the Kremlin, launched a harsh verbal attack against Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a broadcast of his program "Polnyj Kontakt" (Full Contact) on Tuesday.
Speaking partly in Italian and partly in Russian, Solovyov used vulgar language and crude epithets to describe Meloni, calling her "fascist," "certified idiot," "bad little woman," and using sexually derogatory terms. He also referred to her as a "disgrace to the human race" and a "natural beast."
Solovyov accused Meloni of betrayal, stating that "betrayal is her second name." He specifically claimed she had sworn allegiance to Donald Trump but subsequently abandoned that commitment once in office. He also characterized her as a "fascist creature" who had betrayed her own voters and allies.
The broadcaster's remarks came days after Meloni met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which she reaffirmed Italy's support for Ukraine's cause. At that meeting, Meloni announced a defense cooperation agreement involving drone production. Italian President Sergio Mattarella also confirmed Italy's "full proximity" to Ukraine, citing the country's "great resistance and great heroism."
The Italian government responded swiftly to the broadcast. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on social media that he had summoned Russian Ambassador Paramonov to the Foreign Ministry to lodge formal protests against what he described as "grave and offensive statements" directed at Meloni. Tajani expressed his solidarity and support for the prime minister.
Relations between Rome and Moscow have been strained for some time, particularly over Italy's support for Ukraine. The incident marks another point of tension in the already difficult diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
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