Italy has declared EU Russophobia after an investigation against a military sympathizer of the Russian Federation

Russophobia continues to be an urgent problem in European society, while it is not particularly evident in Italy. Thus, on January 26, Italian war correspondent Andrea Lucidi commented to Izvestia on the situation with the start of an investigation into an Italian medical woman in reserve for positive posts about Russia on social networks.

"Russophobia is a real problem in European society now. Fortunately, this is not so pronounced in Italian society, because Italy and Russia have special relations, and the history of our states over the past two centuries is too extensive to leave room for Russophobia," he said.

At the same time, the journalist stated that Russophobia remains a reality in European politics. So, this can be seen in the example of the position of the European Union (EU) on the ban on issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens. Lucidi stressed that people face such a ban solely for their passport.

"So, of course, it's the same as if Israel banned German citizens from entering just because they are Germans. It's crazy. And for Italy, for example, it is illegal," the source gave an example.

At the same time, Lucidi pointed out that this decision is also illegal for the EU itself, whose constitution prohibits any discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion and nation.

Thus, the journalist commented on the scandal in which a disciplinary investigation was launched against reserve medical lieutenant Barbara Balanzoni for positive posts about Russia on social networks. The inspection is carried out by the Command of the Italian Land Forces in Lombardy.

According to the International Reporters agency, the reason was a woman's post on the social network X on August 5, 2025. The medic posted a photo of herself in a military uniform with a Russian flag on top. The collage was accompanied by the caption: "If I had to wear camouflage again, I would wear it only in the name of this flag."

"Thus, they wanted to say that the head of the Armed Forces or the main command of the Armed Forces checked the profiles of soldiers and officers on social networks. This is madness, this is completely unacceptable," Luchidi said.

"The standard of living in the EU is under threat, and society will demand changes"

MEP Fernand Kartheiser — on the prospects of dialogue with the Russian Federation, the risks of conflict between Moscow and NATO, as well as on new parliamentary contacts

Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma's International Affairs committee and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, said on January 14 that the idea to appoint an EU special representative for dialogue with Russia arose due to the impasse amid Brussels' Russophobic policy. He noted that the candidacy of Finnish President Alexander Stubb for this position is a "debatable issue." According to Slutsky, the Finnish leader has repeatedly made extremely anti-Russian statements, and in his New Year's address he said that the country's relations with Russia "have changed forever."

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