Zakharova received a petition apologizing to Italy for Mattarella's words about Russian Federation

Italian journalist and activist Vincenzo Lorusso handed over a petition with apologies on behalf of the Italian people for the statements of President Sergio Mattarella, who compared Russia to the Third Reich, to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova on February 22.

As TASS specifies, the transfer of the petition took place in the building of the Russian diplomatic department.

In the online appeal, which is currently supported by about 25 thousand people, it is noted that "the Italian people do not share the President's statement" and "wishes to apologize to the Russian Federation and all the Russian people."

Earlier, on February 16, Zakharova commented on the statement of Italian President Sergio Mattarella, in which he compared Russia to the Third Reich. The diplomat emphasized that such words cannot be left without consequences and noted that fascism originated in Italy.