Sweden summoned the Russian ambassador in Stockholm on March 5 to protest Russia's extensive attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine on March 6-7, the Swedish Foreign Ministry said. The ministry stated that Russia's attacks are a clear violation of international law. Sweden affirmed it will continue to support Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to self-defense. However, Swedish newspaper Expressen reported that the ambassador was summoned due to a drone incident in February, not the March attacks. According to Expressen, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard described the incident as very serious. The discrepancy between the government's stated reason and Expressen's report may reflect different incidents or confusion, and the exact date of the summoning remains unclear.
Italy summoned the Russian ambassador in Rome after a Russian TV presenter insulted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said. Tajani posted on X that he summoned the ambassador to formally protest the remarks. Russian TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov called Meloni a 'disgrace to the human race', 'wild beast', 'certified idiot', and 'nasty little woman' in Italian on Russian television, according to major media reports. Solovyov also said in Russian that Meloni is a 'fascist creature who betrayed her electors' and 'even betrayed Trump'. Opposition parties in Italy condemned the comments. According to Euronews, Elly Schlein, Secretary of the Democratic Party, described the remarks as unacceptable sexist accusations and said that those who insult Italian institutions offend the entire country.
We take this very seriously.
Russia summoned Japan's ambassador in Moscow to protest a Japanese company's investment in a Ukrainian drone manufacturer, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, according to major media reports. Terra Drone Corporation made a strategic investment in Amazing Drones, a Kharkiv-based company developing interceptor drones, Japan Today reported via Realtid. The investment amount has not been disclosed.
Several unknowns remain. It is unclear what specific drone incident in February Expressen is referring to, and why the Swedish government gave a different reason for the summoning. The exact date of the summoning is also uncertain, as Regeringen says March 5, Aftonbladet says Monday, and Expressen implies after the February incident. It is not known whether the Russian ambassadors responded to the summons.
A Russian TV presenter, a spokesman for the Kremlin position, made unacceptable sexist accusations against Giorgia Meloni. Once again, we would like to remind the Russian regime that those who insult the representatives of Italian institutions offend the entire country and we do not accept this.