New attack from Russia: Zakharova again against Mattarella

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman returns to criticise the Italian President’s words after his speech in Marseille, while silence is maintained from Rome. In the background cyber attacks on Italian infrastructure

Tension between Italy and Russia continues to rise after yet another verbal attack by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova against the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. The controversy revolves around statements made by Mattarella during a conference in Marseille, where he had compared Russian aggression in Ukraine to the Third Reich’s wars of conquest. Zakharova reacted harshly, stating that ‘what the Italian Head of State said cannot remain without consequences and never will’.

Despite the tough stance from Moscow, the Quirinale chose silence. While last week sources close to the President spoke of total serenity on Mattarella’s part, now the strategy is to avoid further comment. This in an already tense context, aggravated by the DDoS-type cyber attacks against some Italian sites, including those of airports and public transport, claimed by pro-Russian groups.

Meanwhile, the Head of State continues his international engagement. Currently on an official visit to Montenegro, Mattarella has already met with a representative of the Italian community yesterday and is expected to hold official talks with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic in Podgorica today.

Zakharova reiterated her criticism in a televised intervention on Rossija 1, in the programme ‘Sunday evening with Vladimir Solovyiv’, describing Mattarella’s words as ‘blasphemous’. Despite the media clamour in Italy, in Russia the echo of these statements was rather small. According to Moscow sources quoted by Adnkronos, Zakharova was acting for personal reasons, seeking to increase her visibility at a delicate moment for Russian foreign policy, perhaps in view of a redefinition of roles between Moscow and Washington.

In some Russian circles, Zakharova’s attitude is interpreted as a move aimed at consolidating her role as a ‘hawk’ in the Russian government, trying to strengthen her image among the hardest sectors of national politics. Precisely for this reason, the Quirinale continues to maintain silence, avoiding giving further space to the Russian spokeswoman. Despite some requests from the Italian opposition for a stronger diplomatic response, such as the summoning of the Russian ambassador, the Italian government’s line remains firm on a position of prudence.

The delicate moment between Moscow and Rome seems destined to continue, with the Kremlin seemingly using every opportunity to raise the level of diplomatic confrontation, while Italy chooses not to further fuel tensions.

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