Italy Summons Russian Envoy Over President Mattarella's Inclusion on 'Russophobes' List

 Italy Summons Russian Envoy Over President Mattarella's Inclusion on 'Russophobes' List

Italy has officially summoned Russia’s ambassador to protest the inclusion of President Sergio Mattarella on a list of “Russophobes” published by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The list accuses several Western political figures of inciting hatred toward Russia, and it cites past statements as evidence. Mattarella was included based on remarks he made during a February speech at Aix-Marseille University in France, where he compared Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine to Nazi Germany’s expansionist wars.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly condemned the move, describing the list as another act of Russian propaganda. She stated that targeting world leaders with such labels is unacceptable and serves only to fuel tension between nations. Meloni reiterated that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a clear violation of international law, and Italy has since supported Ukraine in line with most Western allies.

Mattarella is the only Italian mentioned in the list, which also includes notable leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has not commented publicly on Italy’s response.

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The list published by Russia is being viewed by Italy and other Western countries as a strategic communication tool aimed at discrediting critics of the Kremlin. The accusations of “Russophobia” are based on public speeches and statements that have criticized Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. Italy’s decision to summon the ambassador signals a diplomatic escalation and marks a new chapter in the already tense relationship between Rome and Moscow.

Italy has historically maintained close economic and energy ties with Russia. However, since Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, the Italian government has shifted its stance. Under both Mario Draghi and Giorgia Meloni, Italy has aligned more closely with NATO and the European Union in supporting Kyiv, providing humanitarian aid and military assistance.

The mention of Mattarella a largely ceremonial but highly respected figure in Italian politics adds weight to the issue. While he plays a neutral and unifying role in domestic affairs, his inclusion in such a controversial list is being interpreted in Italy as a direct attack on the country's democratic values and foreign policy stance.

Meloni's strong words reinforce the broader Western message that diplomatic intimidation will not change their collective position on Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Analysts say Russia’s list could be an attempt to discourage international solidarity with Ukraine by singling out prominent voices.

As of now, there is no indication that Russia will retract the list or engage in dialogue about the matter. Italy, meanwhile, is expected to continue pushing back diplomatically and publicly.