Does anyone remember the Soviet-era cult film The Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia, filmed back in 1973 by Eldar Ryazanov and Franco Prosperi?
The Soviet-Italian film comedy told how, having accidentally heard the confessions of a 100-year-old Russian emigrant dying in Rome about billions of lire hidden in the city on the Neva during the revolution “under the lion”, a cheerful company of Roman rogues goes to Leningrad to find money and get rich .
The artistic authenticity of the tape was provided not only by the genius of Ryazanov, but also by the fact that it was precisely an Italian story.
Nothing like this could happen to the Americans or the British at the height of the Cold War.
Even then, for a thousand reasons, we had a special relationship with capitalist Italy since the time of Gogol and Gorky.
And it is no coincidence that the legendary "penny" - "Zhiguli" of the first model - was Fiat, assembled at the Italian car factory in Togliatti.
History has its dislocations and quirks, builds its grimaces.
Nearly half a century later, in the midst of Cold War 2.0, a non-fictional political plot, “The Adventures of Italians in Anti-Russia,” is unfolding.
It doesn't feel like comedy at all.
Billions also appear in this story - but now frozen Russian funds, which Italy, together with the European Union, intends to confiscate.
In addition, the new Italian government of Giorgi Meloni is determined to continue military assistance to Kyiv.
Ukraine has already received heavy artillery, self-propelled artillery mounts, armored personnel carriers, and missile systems.
According to the newspaper La Repubblica, by December, the authorities intend to approve the sixth decree on military assistance to Kyiv.
It can include elements of air defense systems.
Here is a gift from Rome for Christmas and New Year.
And yet the Italians would not be Italians if they could swallow it meekly.
For the most part, they do not suffer from Russophobia.
Last Saturday, a 100,000-strong rally was held in Rome, the participants of which called for an end to adding fuel to the fire of the Ukrainian conflict.
“Do not try to send weapons to Ukraine without the approval of Parliament!”
ex-Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, the leader of the opposition Five Star Movement, shouted into the microphone, addressing the new Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto.
“The European Union must pursue its strategic interests, which cannot be reduced to the interests of Washington.
He must raise his head
,” said Giuseppe Conte in an interview with the Quotidiano Nazionale newspaper.
Of course, supporters of the continuation of military assistance to Kyiv in the Italian government and parliament have a solid advantage.
But the mood in society is changing, and sooner or later the authorities will have to take this into account.
In the meantime, Italy is discussing stories like stories about a case of vodka sent by the Russian president for the birthday of the 86-year-old ex-premier, leader of the Forward Italy party, Silvio Berlusconi.
After the European Commission became interested in dangerous Russian vodka, urging not to relax in the confrontation with Moscow, the Forward Italy party hastened to assure that this political force, like Silvio Berlusconi personally, treats the Ukrainian conflict in exactly the same way as Europe and the United States .
It would be better if they drank Russian vodka: sometimes it can liberate and open your eyes to the world.
In general, the incredible adventures of Italians in anti-Russia continue.
The point of view of the author may not coincide with the position of the editors.