Propaganda on pause. In a significant development, Italian public broadcaster Rai has cancelled Vladimir Soloviev’s scheduled appearance tonight on Massimo Giletti’s “Lo stato delle cose” on Rai Tre.
- This decision comes amid mounting pressure from European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno—a senior member of the Italian Democracy Party—who urged Rai to block the appearance of the sanctioned Russian propagandist.
- Picierno’s earlier appeal on X stressed that Italy’s public service must not serve as a megaphone for Russian disinformation.
Sanctions and accountability. The European Union imposed sanctions on Soloviev, a prominent host on Rossiya 1 with close ties to President Vladimir Putin, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
- Soloviev has been widely criticised for his extremely hostile stance toward Ukraine and his overt praise of the Russian government, actively endorsing its military actions.
- In March 2022, Italian law enforcement seized two villas on Lake Como, owned by Soloviev and valued at approximately €8 million, as part of a broader investigation into his activities.
Resurgence of Russian influence. Soloviev’s cancelled appearance is viewed as a symbolic rejection of a renewed surge of Russian propaganda in Italy.
- This comes despite recent attempts by Russian diplomats to blame President Sergio Mattarella and coordinated cyber-attacks by anti-Russian groups against Italian websites.
- The cancellation highlights Italy’s commitment to resisting hostile external influences in its media landscape.
Political fallout. The controversy has fueled broader political debates as former government allies, the Five Star Movement (currently in opposition) and Lega (part of the governing coalition), share similar anti-EU and anti-NATO sentiments.
- Giuseppe Conte, former Prime Minister and current leader of the Five Star Movement, recently reiterated his opposition to the €800 billion European rearmament plan, advocating for a “new peace security conference” in an emerging multipolar world—a remark that underlines his frustration with three years of bellicose rhetoric.
- Conversely, Lega leader Matteo Salvini has adopted an ultra-Trumpian pacifist stance, a position that has sparked significant controversy within political circles.
UPDATE: Soloviev’s scheduled appearance on Rai Tre has been officially cancelled.
