Italy's FM warns of possible Russian meddling in general election

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has voiced concerns that Russia may attempt to interfere in the country's upcoming general election, an issue he described as a matter of concern for the entire European Union. Arriving for an informal EU foreign ministers' meeting in Ireland, Tajani stated that attempts by the Russian Federation to influence democratic elections in EU countries cannot be ruled out.

Tajani also commented on a Financial Times report that labeled Roberto Vannacci, the leader of Italy's National Future party, as a "Trojan horse for Russia." While dismissing the report, Tajani expressed hope that the claims of Russian influence behind Vannacci's political rise were "absolutely false." The article suggested Vannacci's Kremlin-friendly positions could complicate Prime Minister Meloni's re-election campaign by appealing to existing pacifist sentiments and economic discontent in Italy.

In a separate but related exchange, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto directly responded to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. Zakharova had called the appointment of former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov as an adviser to Italy's defence ministry "ridiculous." Crosetto retorted that Italy makes its decisions independently, without checking with Moscow.