Former Italian Ambassador Warns Russian Influence Could Shape Italy’s 2027 Election

Former Italian Ambassador Pier Francesco Zazo warned, in a lecture on August 18th at the Diplomatic Academy in Kyiv, that Russian influence may shape Italy's 2027 election. During the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Italy's diplomatic mission was the last to leave Kyiv, evacuating around 100 people in a humanitarian convoy.

Zazo urged Italy to reopen its embassy in Kyiv in April 2022, despite security risks. His actions earned him praise from then Prime Minister Mario Draghi and a decoration from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zazo cautioned that Russian propaganda still exerts considerable influence in Italy, weakening public support for Ukraine's defense. Polls showed that most Italians opposed military assistance but still supported humanitarian aid. This divide, he argued, can be traced back to historical factors. Before the Soviet Union's collapse, Italy had the largest communist party in Western Europe.

About one-third of Italians grew up in a political culture that viewed communism as a force for social justice, while portraying Russia as a "workers' paradise."

Traditional pacifist views on both left and right have further complicated the picture, making it difficult for Italians to express solidarity even with those fighting in what they consider a just cause. Additionally, Italy lacks a disinformation authority and rules to combat fake news, allowing Russian propaganda to spread misleading narratives. Zazo expressed deep concern that these attitudes could benefit pro-Russian parties in Italy's 2027 general election.