The Italian Foreign Ministry has summoned Russia’s ambassador to Rome, Aleksey Paramonov, following controversial remarks by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova that were widely condemned in Italy as offensive and provocative.

The Italian Foreign Ministry said Monday that Paramonov was called in after Zakharova published a social media post implying that Italy’s economy and infrastructure were “collapsing” — in reference to the partial collapse of Rome’s historic Torre dei Conti tower earlier that day.

Zakharova wrote: “As long as Italy continues to waste taxpayers’ money, both its economy and its buildings will keep collapsing.”

The comments sparked outrage among Italian politicians and the public, with many accusing Moscow of mocking a domestic incident and using it to score political points over Italy’s support for Ukraine.

In response, the Italian government described the post as “an unacceptable and disrespectful attack” against Italy, prompting the decision to summon the Russian envoy for an official explanation.

Diplomatic tension amid ongoing war in Ukraine

Italy has been among the European countries strongly supporting Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Rome’s decision to summon the Russian ambassador underscores the continuing strain in relations between the two countries, which have deteriorated sharply amid mutual diplomatic expulsions, sanctions, and hostile rhetoric.

According to Italian media, officials from the Foreign Ministry conveyed Italy’s “strong disapproval” of Zakharova’s remarks and reiterated that such statements “damage the already fragile diplomatic dialogue.”

The Russian Embassy in Rome has not issued an immediate public response. (ILKHA)