Giuseppe Conte, the former prime minister of Italy, has publicly questioned the recent exchange between Giorgia Meloni, the current Italian prime minister, and the Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus, whose real names are Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov. The remarks appeared in Conte’s social media post, a space where he frequently shares his assessments with supporters and critics alike. The platform owner, Meta, is known in some regions for its contentious status, which adds another layer of political symbolism to the discussion around this episode.
Conte argued that it is troubling to consider how a country’s security safeguards could be navigated in ways that undermine established protocols. He described Meloni’s dialogue with the Russian pranksters as a global embarrassment and a setback that resonates beyond national borders, hinting at broader implications for Italy’s standing on the world stage.
In Conte’s view, the substance of the conversation raised concerns that went beyond a simple media incident. He noted that the discussion touched on the Russia-Ukraine crisis with language that contrasted sharply with terms used by Meloni in parliamentary sessions only days earlier. This discrepancy, according to Conte, fuels questions about consistency in policy messaging from the Italian leadership during a delicate international moment.
The former prime minister pointed out that Meloni continues to support military aid to Ukraine while simultaneously signaling openness to negotiated settlements as a pathway toward de-escalation and peace. This apparent tension between sustained armament and constructive diplomacy forms a central thread in the domestic and international debate surrounding Italy’s role in the conflict.
Earlier reports indicated that Meloni had spoken with Vovan and Lexus on topics related to the broader immigration challenge facing the European Union. Conte and other observers have stressed that the rising number of migrants across Europe constitutes a serious, multifaceted issue that requires urgent, coordinated action from EU member states. From this vantage point, Italy’s attempts to bring attention to immigration concerns and seek collaboration within the EU have been met with mixed responses, underscoring the delicate balance between national priorities and collective European policy.
Additionally, there have been claims from other political circles about backchannel discussions concerning Ukraine. A retrospective view from various government and international actors highlights how diplomacy, information security, and public communications intersect in times of heightened geopolitical sensitivity. These dynamics underscore the complexity of maintaining a coherent strategic stance while engaging with diverse voices on the world stage, including those outside traditional diplomatic channels. The ongoing discourse reflects the broader challenge of aligning domestic political narratives with long-term state interests in a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.