Moscow against Mattarella: “the comparison with the Third Reich is outrageous”. Italian Parliament and Government respond: “Attack on Mattarella is an insult to the Nation”

Mattarella's statements and the Russian reaction

Tensions between Italy and Russia are increasing after the harsh words from the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, towards the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. The Kremlin has in fact defined “outrageous and blasphemous" the statements by the Italian Head of State, who last February 5, in a speech at the University of Marseille, compared the Russian aggression against Ukraine to the Third Reich's expansion project in Europe.

According to Mattarella, “authoritarian phenomena took over in some countries, attracted by the fable that despotic and illiberal regimes were more effective in protecting national interests. The result was an accentuation of a climate of conflict, rather than cooperation, despite the awareness of having to face and solve problems on a larger scale. But, rather than cooperation, the criterion of domination prevailed. And they were wars of conquest. This was the project of the Third Reich in Europe. Today's Russian aggression against Ukraine is of this nature".

Nine days later, Moscow responded harshly"Mattarella has drawn scandalous and frankly false historical parallels between Russia and Nazi Germanya,” Zakharova said. “These are unacceptable and unfounded claims.”

Meloni: “Attacks on Mattarella are an insult to Italy”

Faced with Russian accusations, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed full solidarity with the Head of State, firmly condemning the Kremlin's words: "The insults of the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry offend the entire Italian Nation, which the President of the Republic represents. I express my full solidarity, as well as that of the entire Government, to President Mattarella, who has always firmly supported the condemnation of the aggression perpetrated against Ukraine.to ".

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, also reiterated his support of the Government: “Solidarity with the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, for the offensive words that Moscow has addressed to him. I renew, also on behalf of Forza Italia, my full confidence in the work of the Head of State, recognized by all as an authoritative man of peace".

The reaction of the Italian institutions

The President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, firmly rejected the Kremlin's declarations, underlining Mattarella's role as guarantor of democratic values"I find the statements made by the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry inappropriate and out of place. To the Head of State Sergio Mattarella, guardian of the values ​​of the Republic and point of reference for the Nation, I renew my esteem and express my personal closeness and that of the Senate".

Along the same lines the Vice President of the Chamber, Fabio Rampelli, who recalled: “Italy is a free and sovereign nation in which the President represents national unity and is the guarantor of the Constitution. All characteristics that Russia lacks, which invaded Ukraine as Nazi Germany did in its time with Poland and then with the Soviet Union itself.".

Moscow Responds: “Italy Supports a Neo-Nazi Regime”

In his reply, Spokeswoman Zakharova also accused Italy of "to equip the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev with modern and deadly weapons, supporting it in all its crimesi”. “The Russia – added Zakharova – was subjected to a monstrous attack by Hitler's Germany, and our country was not only able to expel the enemy from its territory, but also liberated Europe from Nazism and Fascism. Hearing these blasphemous inventions from the Italian President is scandalous".

The Quirinale: “Mattarella serene”

From the Quirinal, sources close to the President have confirmed that Mattarella is "absolutely serene" and refers to the reading of the text pronounced in Marseille. The Head of State, therefore, does not back down on his statements and continues to defend Italy's position in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

The exchange of accusations between Italy and Russia is part of a broader context of geopolitical tensions between Moscow and the West. Italy, like other European Union countries, has taken a clear position in support of Kiev, condemning Russian aggression and sending military and humanitarian aid.

The episode highlights, once again, the delicate diplomatic balance and the challenges that Italy and Europe must face in an increasingly complex international scenario.