The head of European Union diplomacy, Josep Borrell, opened high-level talks between Kosovo and Serbia today in Brussels…

Russia denies what it described as “outrageous” accusations of meddling in Italy’s political affairs, after Matteo Salvini, the leader of Italy’s far-right League party, was asked to account for the contacts between the Russian embassy and his entourage against the backdrop of the crisis that led to the downfall of Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
“It is strange to see that the political class and the Italian media (…) have begun to be guided by external factors and imitate their worst practices and models in terms of election campaigns,” resorting to “the trivial myth of involvement of Moscow in the electoral procedures,” commented the representative of the Russian diplomacy, Maria Zakharova.
For Russia, “Italy is a sovereign country that exercises an independent domestic and foreign policy,” she added in a statement uploaded to the Telegram platform.
That is why “relations between Russia and Italy have always been characterized by pragmatism, understanding, and mutual respect,” added Mrs. Zakharova.
Also read: B. Schäuble | Germany should contribute to France’s nuclear arsenal
Mario Draghi’s national unity government fell on July 14 as the League (far right), Forza Italia (right), and the 5 Star Movement (populists) refused to join the vote of confidence in the government in the Italian parliament.
The day before Thursday, Turin’s center-right La Stampa newspaper reported that a diplomat from the Russian embassy met with a close associate of Mr. Salvini, with whom they discussed the political situation, in late May in Rome.
The meeting took place while Mr. Salvini faced accusations of conducting parallel diplomacy with the Russian embassy, ostensibly to draw up a Moscow-Kyiv peace plan, without the Italian government being aware of that. Several in Italy demanded an explanation from Mr. Salvini after the Stampa publication.
The relations between Matteo Salvini and Russia are causing discomfort, especially after the beginning of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine at the end of February.
The issue is likely to become a headache for his party and its allies, Forza Italia and the far-right Brotherhood of Italy, in the campaign ahead of the September 25 parliamentary election.
Source: CNN Greece
Also read: Poland | Defence deal with South Korea to buy hundreds of weapon systems
READ MORE
Myanmar | Military regime to import fuel from Russia
The military regime in Myanmar plans to import Russian petrol and mazut to ease supply concerns and rising prices amid…
Israel | Announcement on full restoration of diplomatic relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv
Israel and Turkey have decided to fully restore their diplomatic relations and return each other’s ambassadors and…
Kosovo – Serbia | EU-brokered Pristina-Belgrade talks
The head of European Union diplomacy, Josep Borrell, opened high-level talks between Kosovo and Serbia today in Brussels…
Myanmar | Military regime to import fuel from Russia
The military regime in Myanmar plans to import Russian petrol and mazut to ease supply concerns and rising prices amid…
Department of Forestry | UAV fire patrols kick off – Photos
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) patrols have kicked off in collaboration with the “CARE-C” Center of Excellence…
Israel | Announcement on full restoration of diplomatic relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv
Israel and Turkey have decided to fully restore their diplomatic relations and return each other’s ambassadors and…
El Salvador | 50,000 arrests in “war on gangs”
Police in El Salvador has arrested 50,000 people, since President Naguib Bukele declared a “war on gangs” five months ago…
China – Russia | New major military exercise
China and Russia will conduct joint military drills in the next few hours, according to the Chinese Ministry of Defence. According to the…