Italy has summoned Russia's deputy ambassador to protest what it described as 'vulgar' remarks linking the collapse of a medieval tower in Rome to Italy's military support for Ukraine. The incident occurred on Monday when part of a tower near the Colosseum gave way, trapping a Romanian worker under rubble. He was rescued alive but later died in hospital.
Moscow's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram that as long as the Italian government 'wastes its taxpayers' money' on backing Ukraine, the local economy and its towers would continue to collapse. The comments were made while the rescue operation was still under way.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani denounced the post as 'disturbing' and 'unacceptable', stating: 'Italy will not alter its foreign policy stance or its principles in response to reckless verbal attacks.' The Russian Embassy in Rome later expressed condolences for the death of worker Octav Stroici but also raised concerns over what it called an 'aggressive, deplorable anti-Russian campaign' in Italian media.
Italy has firmly supported Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, supplying military equipment, training, and humanitarian aid as part of broader NATO and EU efforts. However, public opinion in Italy remains divided, with polls showing many Italians uneasy about sending weapons or escalating military involvement.
