Overview
- Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the remarks as vulgar and ordered the Russian envoy in Rome to be summoned.
- Zakharova posted her message as emergency crews were still working at the partially collapsed Torre dei Conti, with at least one worker reported trapped.
- The Italian Foreign Ministry denounced the statement and reiterated support for Ukraine as an expression of national solidarity.
- Politicians across parties and EU figures called the comments cynical propaganda and urged a firm diplomatic response, including convening the ambassador.
- Reports situate the episode within Zakharova’s pattern of provocative attacks on European leaders, including previous broadsides against President Sergio Mattarella.