The joke comes from Vovan & Lexus, a duo considered close to the Kremlin’s intelligence services. One of the two telephoned the Italian prime minister and questioned her about foreign policy, posing as an African leader. The episode occurred on September 18.
«The Diplomatic Advisory Office of the President of the Council of Ministers regrets having been deceived by an impostor who posed as the Chairman of the African Union Commission and that they put him in telephone contact with the president Giorgia Meloni. The episode occurred last September 18 in the context of the intense commitment developed in those hours by President Meloni to strengthen relations with African leaders, with whom he held important meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly between September 19 and 21.” With this note, Palazzo Chigi comments on the prank call of two Russian “comedians.” Giorgia Meloni.
What happened
Vovan & Lexus, two well-known Russian “comedians”, in fact attacked Giorgia Meloni as they had done on other occasions with other leaders and political personalities. One of the two telephoned the Italian Prime Minister and He questioned her about her foreign policyposing, in reality, as an African leader (here is the audio).
The method used in the past by the couple when other international leaders, such as the Spanish Prime Minister, ended up in the spotlight, was essentially a replica. Pedro Sanchezthe Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussenand former United States Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger.
Vladimir Kuznetsov and Aleksej Stolyarov – these are the real names of Vovan & Lexus (here’s an in-depth look at their activity) – introduced the conversation by stating that Meloni was complaining about French President Emmanuel Macron’s attitude towards migration. emergency, and They denounced the prime minister’s alleged “fatigue” with the situation in Ukraine.
The phrase about “tiredness” related to the war in Ukraine
Meloni, asked about Ukraine, affirms that she sees “a lot of fatigue” on everyone’s part in relation to support for kyiv. «We are close to the moment when everyone will understand that we need a way out. The problem is to find one that is acceptable without destroying international law,” the Prime Minister states in the conversation, effectively reiterating what has been said many times about the need to guarantee the sovereignty and independence of Kiev.
«Ukraine did not have the expected success in spring. Ukraine counteroffensive may not be going as expected. It is progressing, but the fate of the conflict has not changed. So everyone understands that (the conflict) could last for many years if we don’t try to find solutions. The problem is what is the acceptable solution without opening other conflicts,” the prime minister added.
Fazzolari: “Desperate Russian propaganda”
Behind the “trap” set by Russian comedians for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni lies Moscow’s nervousness over the progress of the war in Ukraine. This is supported by the FdI Undersecretary for the implementation of the program, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, who, interviewed by Adnkronos, intervenes in the case of the phone call between the two Russian comedians. “Russian propaganda is desperate for the catastrophic advance of its so-called ‘special operation’, which has resulted in a continuous defeat of the Russian army on Ukrainian soil,” observes Fazzolari, who then emphasizes: “Giorgia Meloni does not fall into the trap of Russian propagandists and confirms the Italian line of support for Ukraine and respect for international law.” Sources from the Chigi Palace also highlighted how “despite the provocations,” the prime minister confirmed in the phone call “full support for Ukraine” and Italian policies to combat illegal immigration.
Article in update…
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November 1, 2023 (modified November 1, 2023 | 6:18 pm)