In a live broadcast on Rossiya 1, EU-sanctioned Vladimir Soloviev launched a series of harsh insults at Pina Picierno following her successful protest to cancel his scheduled appearance on Italy’s public broadcaster
Verbal assault. Russian state TV host Vladimir Soloviev targeted European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno in a televised tirade on Rossiya 1, calling her a “pathetic, insignificant creature” and claiming her “mouth stinks of tyranny.”
- His outburst followed Picierno’s successful push to cancel his planned appearance on Rai Tre, Italy’s public broadcaster.
- Soloviev insisted he “was offered” the guest spot on Massimo Giletti’s Lo stato delle cose, denying that he had requested to participate.
Institutional support. Picierno received backing from the Democratic Party–in which she is a leading figure–and the European Parliament.
- Giovanbattista Fazzolari, Under Secretary to the Prime Minister Office, expressed solidarity with Picierno for “the ignoble insults delivered by the Putin-linked propagandist. These outbursts, typical of those who twist reality to serve regime propaganda, are a badge of honour for those who receive them,” he added.
- The President of the Italian Senate, Ignazio La Russa, firmly condemned Soloviev’s “disgraceful remarks” against Picierno.
Following Rai’s decision… to drop Soloviev, Picierno remarked, “This is not about freedom of speech—Vladimir Soloviev is Putin’s mouthpiece on Rossiya 1, not a journalist.”
- The EU sanctioned Soloviev after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing his active role in Kremlin propaganda.
- Italy’s Guardia di Finanza seized his two villas on Lake Como—both initially exposed by Alexei Navalny’s anti-corruption foundation, which led to Navalny’s arrest in 2019.
