The decision taken by Italy after Russia included President Mattarella on the “Russian” list

Italy convened on Wednesday on the Russian ambassador, after Moscow in included Italian President Sergio Mattarella on a list of critical Western officials to the Kremlin, AFP reports.

The relationships between Rome and Moscow, already tense by the invasion of Russia in Ukraine, have deteriorated even more in the last days, with Italy canceling the concert of a pro-Kremlin conductor last week.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy has said that he sees “the inclusion of the head of state on this list” as “a challenge against the Republic and the Italian people.”

Moscow included President Mattarella on the list of the Russian Foreign Ministry with those who accuse them of using “hatred language” against Russia.

Other European leaders, such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, are also on the list.

As president of Italy, Mattarella plays a rather ceremonial role.

However, Moscow said that it included on the list because it compared the Russian aggression in Ukraine with the actions of Nazi Germany.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was a fervent supporter of Kiev. Earlier this month, Italy hosted a conference on the recovery of Ukraine.

In a statement on Wednesday, she expressed her solidarity towards Mattarella and said that the inclusion of the Italian president on the list was “nothing more than still a propaganda operation meant to distract from the serious responsibilities of Moscow.”

Italy received thousands of Ukrainian refugees in the context of Russia unleashed against Ukraine in February 2022.