Italy summons Russian ambassador over Moscow adding top officials to 'Russophobia' list

The Guardian reported the information.

In addition to the Italian president, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Russia added to the "examples of Russophobia" quotes from politicians in the U.S., Poland, Bulgaria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, the EU, France, Germany, Greece, NATO, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Earlier, in a speech in Milan, Mattarella drew a parallel between the sentiments surrounding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the rise of Nazi Germany.

Meanwhile, the Italian Foreign Ministry stated that its head "considered the inclusion of the head of state in this list a provocation against the Republic and the Italian people."

• Previously, Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, who openly supports the Kremlin’s policies, was scheduled to perform at the Un’estate da Re festival in Caserta, Italy, on July 27. However, the management of the Royal Palace, where the festival is to be held, canceled the performance.