Italy has formally called in Russia’s ambassador in Rome following a series of highly offensive comments directed at Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni by Russian television personality Vladimir Solovyov, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed on Tuesday.
According to reports in Italian media, Solovyov made a string of insults on Russian television while speaking in Italian, describing Meloni as a “disgrace to the human race”, a “wild beast”, a “certified idiot” and a “nasty little woman”.
He later switched to Russian language during the broadcast, escalating his criticism by calling her “a fascist creature who betrayed her electors,” and further claiming that “she even betrayed (US President Donald) Trump”.
In response, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated on X that he had taken diplomatic action by summoning the Russian envoy.
“I have summoned the Russian Ambassador, Alexey Paramonov, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally protest the extremely serious and offensive remarks made by TV host Vladimir Solovyov on Russian television against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni,” he said.
The remarks drew condemnation not only from Italy’s government but also from opposition political groups, who joined in criticizing the tone and content of the broadcast.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later addressed the controversy on X, writing: “these caricatures certainly won’t make us change course”, and adding that “our compass remains one and only: the interest of Italy. And we will continue to follow it with pride, much to the chagrin of propagandists far and wide.”
Tensions between Rome and Moscow have remained strained, largely due to Meloni’s firm backing of Ukraine. Relations have also been complicated by shifts in her previously warmer stance toward Donald Trump, following disagreements linked to her defense of Pope Leo XIV against criticism from the former US president.
