Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned Russia's ambassador to Rome, Alexey Paramonov, to formally protest remarks made by Russian state television presenter Vladimir Solovyov, who called Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a "disgrace to the human race" and a "fascist creature" in a stream of on-air insults. The incident drew condemnation from across Italy's political spectrum, including opposition parties, while Meloni herself responded defiantly on social media, saying the attacks would not change her government's course. The episode reflects broader tensions between Rome and Moscow stemming from Meloni's strong backing of Ukraine, compounding an already strained diplomatic relationship.