The expected appearance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a music festival in Sanremo is drawing criticism from Italian political parties, Reuters reported on Friday, citing Agerpres.
It is expected that on the last evening of the festival, which will be held from February 7 to 11, Zelensky will speak via video link.
“From the Italian music festival, I expect music, not something else,” – responded Italian Vice Prime Minister Matteo Salvini. However, “if Zelensky will have time to communicate (video) at the festival in San Remo, it is his choice,” Salvini, the leader of the far-right League party, continued, adding that he did not know “how appropriate it is.” it mixes entertainment with war and death.
Similar views were expressed by other Italian politicians, especially from the radical left and the former anti-system party “5 Star Movement”, as well as from the pro-European left opposition Democratic Party (PD).
“Zelensky in Sanremo? no!” – responded Gianni Kuperlo, PD leadership candidate.
Petition in Italy against Zelensky’s invitation to San Remo
Meanwhile, an online petition against Zelensky’s invitation to San Remo, the text of which blames Kyiv’s “brutal repression” against the Russian-speaking population for the war in Ukraine, has gathered about 33,000 signatures as of Friday morning.
The head of the Italian government, Giorgia Meloni, who says she is a firm supporter of Ukraine, and her leaders are close to concluding an agreement with France to supply Kiev with SAMP/T anti-aircraft systems, which is causing friction. a right-wing coalition with Salvini and former conservative prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who had good relations with Moscow and President Vladimir Putin before the war.
In a survey published by the RAI station, the majority of Italian respondents, 52%, opposed such military aid to Ukraine and only 38% spoke in favor of it.
Zelenskyi, a former comedian, also appeared via video link at this month’s Golden Globe Awards, where he thanked “free people and the free world” for supporting Ukraine in the war and said he was confident of victory.
Source: Hot News
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