Russian journalist Vladimir Solovyov has accused Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of betraying the interests of her own voters by following the EU line on Ukraine and Russia in an interview with Il Fatto Quotidiano published on Wednesday.
“I don’t have any problem with Signora Meloni,” Solovyov said. “Italian people, they have problem with Signora Meloni. Donald Trump, he has problems with Signora Meloni.”
The TV host claimed Meloni had “changed her position on Russia and Ukraine completely” after winning the election. He argued that Rome’s current policy has hurt Italian businesses, tourism, and consumers.
“What’s in the best interest of Italian people?” Solovyov asked, pointing to “high oil prices,” a “bad economic situation,” and the loss of Russian markets and tourism. “Is it worth it?”
He also questioned whether Italy remains “the Italy of Berlusconi” or has become “the Italy of immigrants” who “don’t respect your culture, your history, your language,” asking whether this is “the right price to pay for European Nazi solidarity.”
The interview followed Solovyov’s sharp criticism of Meloni on his show earlier in April. His remarks prompted a strong response in Rome, where Italy’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Aleksey Paramonov to lodge a formal protest, describing the comments as “extremely serious and offensive.” Paramonov, in turn, called the move unusual, stressing that Solovyov was speaking in a personal capacity and does not represent official Russian policy.
Watch the full interview here: