Italy's PM Mario Draghi criticises TV channel for controversial interview with Lavrov

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi criticised a Rete4 programme in which Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov referred to Jews as " fiercest anti-Semites" and compared Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to German dictator olf Hitler. programme was featured as an interview with Russia's Foreign Minister, but it turned out to be a "session of political agitation," according to Italy's Prime Minister on May 2.

PM Draghi emphasised that, unlike Russia, Italy has free speech, but "it is worth thinking about how acceptable it is to invite someone for an interview and not react to that person's statements. He furr ded, "It was not a journalistic achievement. It gives a very strange feeling."

Or Italian politicians have also slammed programme. Enrico Letta, he of Italian Social Democrats and country's former prime minister, called it a "abyss." However, Mediaset, which owns Rete4, defended programme and decision to invite Lavrov for a discussion. "He is second number in Russia. interview with Russian Foreign Minister is a document of modern history," Mauro Kripa, company's CEO, stated.

Russian Foreign Minister's remark sparked outrage in Ukraine, Germany & Israel

On Italian Rete4 on May 1, Lavrov reiterated key mes of Russian propaganda about Ukraine war. In response to a journalist's question about how Russia's accusations of Nazism against Zelenskyy were related to Ukraine, Lavrov stated, "What kind of nationalization can y have if he is a Jew. "It means absolutely nothing. wise Jewish people say that fiercest anti-Semites are usually Jews."

statement by Russia's top diplomat has sparked outrage in Ukraine, Germany, and Israel. Ukrainian Foreign Minister described Lavrov's remarks as "disgusting," ding that y "show how modern Russia is full of hatred for or peoples." In turn, Zelenskyy claimed that Moscow justifies Nazism by murdering children and destroying peaceful cities in Ukraine.

On or hand, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called Lavrov's remarks "unforgivable and outrageous," demanded clarification from Russian ambassor, and expected an apology. Israel was outraged, according to German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who called Lavrov's remarks "an unforgivable scandal."

Image: AP