Russian-Italian Relations: Dramatic Moment Nearing Point Of No Return

Italy did not want to hear Moscow’s arguments regarding the motives for the armed conflict in Ukraine and joined all possible and conceivable “anti-Russian actions.” This was stated in an interview with RIA Novosti by Russian Ambassador to Rome Alexey Paramonov, who was appointed head of the diplomatic mission in May of this year. Previously, Paramonov was the Consul General of Russia in Milan, after which for 10 years he headed the work of the First European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow.
The Ambassador emphasized the complexity of the current relations between the two countries. “Russia’s relations with Italy, in my opinion, are now experiencing a dramatic moment. We see how for a year and a half, under the influence of bloc affiliation, external pressure, and emotions, Italy has been unilaterally torn away from Russia,” said the Russian diplomat, recalling that, fortunately, “for now, diplomatic relations are maintained between Russia and Italy,” which are used, among other things, to “prevent dangerous misunderstandings regarding key aspects on the bilateral and international circuit.”
Paramonov regrets that “Rome has become involved in all possible anti-Russian actions – supplying weapons and intelligence data to the Kiev regime, distributing anti-Russian Ukrainian propaganda, and so on. Alas, like the rest of NATO countries, the Italian Republic indirectly became a participant in the Ukrainian conflict on Zelensky’s side,” the Russian Ambassador emphasized.
Fortunately, “many Italians, being Catholics and true adherents of anti-militarist views, listen to the humanistic and balanced position of Pope Francis.”
As for communication with “Italian civil society, ordinary citizens who do not occupy administrative positions, it convinces us of the wisdom, common sense, and openness of the Italian people. The majority of Italians are clearly in favor of maintaining friendly relations with Russia. They want nothing more than a speedy end to the Ukrainian conflict, the lifting of sanctions, and a return to the previous constructive and mutually beneficial dialogue,” Paramonov noted.
And finally, Ambassador Paramonov said in an interview, “we must admit that the damage to bilateral relations has been enormous, but probably the point of no return has not yet been passed. But balancing unsteadily on its edge is hardly a good, weighed decision.”