Russian prank creates diplomatic crisis in Italy that 'ends in resignation'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that her diplomatic advisor, Ambassador Francesco Maria Talo, resigned today, taking responsibility for the scandal that erupted after two Russian comedians posed as an African leader to conduct a phone call with her, the contents of which were later leaked to the press.

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Russian prank creates diplomatic crisis in Italy that 'ends in resignation'

In a statement following the Council of Ministers, Meloni also responded to questions regarding the phone prank played on her by two Russian comedians, which came to light on November 1.

When asked if she realized it was a prank during the call made on September 18 by Russian comedians Vladimir Kuznetsov and Aleksej Stolyarov, known as "Vovan&Lexus," which the Italian Prime Minister's office confirmed after the recording surfaced on November 1, Meloni replied, "I had some doubts towards the end of the phone call. Especially in the part where Ukrainian nationalism was discussed, which is a typical topic of Russian propaganda. For this reason, I asked for it to be verified. I reported this to my diplomatic advisor's office."

Meloni stated that they hold many such meetings with leaders, but that the Diplomatic Advisor's Office displayed a "superficial" and "careless" approach in this incident.

Stating that her diplomatic advisor, Ambassador Francesco Maria Talo, took responsibility for the event, Meloni said, "Diplomatic advisor Ambassador Francesco Talo submitted his resignation this morning."

Meloni thanked Talo for his service to date.

Prime Minister Meloni also argued that this incident was "Kremlin propaganda."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Russian comedians Vladimir Kuznetsov and Aleksej Stolyarov, known as "Vovan&Lexus," held a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Meloni on September 18 by posing as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The recording of the call surfaced on social media on November 1.

In the recording, it was revealed that Meloni said, "There is a lot of fatigue on all sides regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The moment is approaching when everyone will understand that we need a way out. The problem is to find a way out that is acceptable for both sides without destroying international law. Ukraine's counter-offensive is not going as expected. This has not changed the fate of the conflict."

The Italian Prime Minister's office confirmed the incident in a written statement on November 1, stating, "The Prime Minister's Diplomatic Advisor's Office regrets that the Prime Minister (Meloni) was misled by an impostor who introduced himself as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and facilitated the call with the Prime Minister."

Following the scandal's emergence in the press, reports in the Italian media had speculated that Ambassador Talo might be forced to leave his post early due to the prank in question.

News Source: AA