A wave of outrage has swept across Italy following offensive remarks directed at Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni by Russian journalist and television host Vladimir Solovyov, a figure widely regarded as close to the Kremlin. During an episode of his program Polnyj Kontakt, Solovyov used inflammatory language, referring to Meloni as a “fascist” and delivering further insults, some even in Italian.

The reaction from Italian institutions was swift and unified. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that the Russian ambassador would be summoned to formally protest the remarks, reaffirming the government’s support for the prime minister. President Sergio Mattarella also expressed his solidarity, condemning the comments as unacceptable.

Leaders across the political spectrum strongly denounced the incident. Senate President Ignazio La Russa described the statements as “shameful insults” and an attack on national institutions, while Chamber Speaker Lorenzo Fontana called them “vulgar and offensive.” Opposition figures joined in the criticism: Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte rejected the personal nature of the attacks, Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein labeled them sexist, and former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi voiced his support for Meloni. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also condemned the remarks as serious and unacceptable.

In response, Russia’s ambassador to Italy, Alexey Paramonov, sought to downplay the incident in a lengthy Facebook post. He emphasized that Meloni is a “legitimate head of government, supported by popular consensus,” and noted that Russian authorities had never expressed offensive judgments toward her or Italy. He also criticized what he described as hostile rhetoric from some Italian leaders toward Russia.

Paramonov further argued that summoning the ambassador over a journalist’s comments falls outside standard diplomatic practice. Personal opinions expressed by media figures, he said, should not be interpreted as official government positions, nor attributed to the Russian leadership or people as a whole. He added that Russia has never used remarks made by Italian journalists, bloggers, or public figures as grounds for diplomatic action or anti-Italian campaigns.

Despite Moscow’s attempt to contain the situation, the episode has underscored growing tensions and prompted a rare moment of unity within Italian politics, with leaders across party lines defending the country’s institutions and condemning what they see as an unacceptable affront to Italy as a whole.