Italy summons Russian envoy for 'sexist insults' against Meloni

 The meeting at the Farnesina was called at the request of Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who condemned what he described as “vulgar and sexist insults” directed at the Italian premier by Russian television host Vladimir Solovyov.

Speaking to reporters after the encounter, Tajani said Italy “does not fear political criticism,” but drew a firm line at personal attacks. “It is unacceptable that a commentator on a state television channel uses such language against the prime minister of a free and democratic country like Italy,” he said, adding that such remarks could not be dismissed given their broadcast on official Russian media outlets.

 

 According to diplomatic sources, the Farnesina expressed “deep indignation” over the incident, underlining the seriousness with which Rome views attacks on its head of government. Paramonov, for his part, reiterated that he had already distanced himself from Solovyov’s comments prior to the meeting and maintained that no Russian official had ever made offensive statements about Meloni or Italy.

 

 In a statement posted on social media ahead of the summons, the ambassador criticised the Italian government’s decision, calling it a misunderstanding of diplomatic norms. He argued that personal opinions expressed by media figures should not be interpreted as official positions of the Russian state, stressing that Moscow had never taken diplomatic action in response to critical remarks made by Italian commentators.

 

 Paramonov also suggested that the controversy had been artificially amplified, attributing it to what he described as “anti-Russian forces” within Italy seeking to damage bilateral relations. He further accused unnamed actors of attempting to turn the episode into an international political scandal, while insisting that Russia had consistently refrained from escalating similar incidents.

 

 The dispute marks the latest episode in a series of tensions between Italy and Russia, as Rome continues to align itself with its European partners in response to Moscow’s actions on the international stage.

 

PS