Italian PM Meloni Expresses 'Fatigue' Over Ukraine War, Lack of Migration Support in Call with Russian Pranksters

Italian Prime Minister was tricked by Russian pranksters into revealing Europe's irritation with ongoing war in Ukraine and lack of support for Italy in handling migration crisis; incident sparks criticism and highlights potential vulnerabilities in political communications.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni was tricked by Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus into a conversation where she revealed the European leaders' frustration over the war in Ukraine. She expressed that many are tired, and that there's a need for a solution that respects international law.
During the prank call, Meloni also shared her discontent about the lack of support Italy receives from the European Union in dealing with the ongoing migration crisis. She reported that Italy had absorbed 120,000 African migrants that year, and criticized the perception that Italy alone should resolve this issue.
The Russian pranksters, famous for pranking high-profile figures and celebrities, impersonated an African Union official during the call with Meloni. The PM's office confirmed the incident and expressed regret over being deceived.
Meloni's comments have sparked criticism and can potentially be used by the Kremlin, which hopes for Western allies to grow tired of the war and minimise their support for Ukraine. However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned about this tactic.
The incident has highlighted potential vulnerabilities in political communications and the need for stringent verification methods. This follows similar episodes where Vovan and Lexus successfully duped other western politicians and celebrities.