Italy summons Russian ambassador over 'Russophobe' list naming president

ROME (Reuters) -The Italian government said on Wednesday that it would summon the Russian ambassador to protest against President Sergio Mattarella being included in a list compiled by Moscow of Western leaders accused of anti-Russian sentiment. "Publishing a list of so-called 'Russophobes' who supposedly incite hatred against Russia is yet another propaganda operation," said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a statement. On July 24, the Russian Foreign Ministry published a list of what it called "hate speech" against Russia by members of Western elites in which it included a statement from Mattarella at Aix-Marseille University last February.