The comments were made by the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Alexei Paramonov in an interview with Ria Novosti, one of Russia’s main news agencies.

 Parmonov began by bringing up the support provided to Italy by the Russian government during the first wave of Covid-19, in spring 2020. He said that "in sending a humanitarian mission" to Italy, Russia was "guided not by the desire to receive dividends in terms of reputation or foreign policy, but by a sense of compassion, a desire to help the Italian people in one of the most difficult moments of its post-war history.”

 "It is depressing that now,” continued Paramonov, “against the backdrop of anti-Russian hysteria, the Italian authorities have suddenly forgotten everything: the existing bilateral treaties and agreements, the special nature of our ties, the rich centuries-old history of strong relationships and traditions - and have joined the frenetic russophobic campaign,” which he feels is “bordering on real racism.”

 Prime Minister Draghi called the comments a “hateful and unacceptable comparison between the pandemic and an invasion of Ukraine," adding that Guerini and “the armed forces are in the front line to defend the security and freedom of the Italians. To them goes the most heartfelt thanks from the Government and my staff.”

 Guerini's response was, “we do not give weight to propaganda. Instead, we encourage every political and diplomatic step that puts an end to the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Italy is alongside Ukraine and will continue to be so.”

 "The continuous and repeated provocations of the Russian authorities to the Italian government, including that of Lorenzo Guerini, no longer surprise us,” wrote Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio on Twitter.

 "The Russian government, instead of spending time casting threats, [should] stop the war in Ukraine which is causing the deaths of innocent civilians," Di Maio added.

 In an official note, the Foreign Ministry invites its Russian counterpart to "take action for the immediate cessation of the illegal and brutal aggression" against Ukraine, "which the Foreign Ministry strongly condemns.”

ln