Italy withdraws honorary title from Russian Prime Minister
Italy has withdrawn one of its most prestigious honorary titles from Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who was honored in 2020 with Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella signed a decree published Thursday in the Official Gazette to "cancel" the elevation of Mikhail Mishustin and Denis Manturov to the rank of Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Italy for "insult".
Deputy Industry Minister Viktor Evtukhov received the same punishment, as did the head of the VTB Bank Andrey Kostin, who were awarded this honorary title in 2021.
"The Russian Federation must be subjected to strong pressure, like the pressure we exercise with the European Union, because a long war in Europe could lead to very serious consequences," Mattarella said Thursday after meeting his Algerian counterpart in Rome.
The Order of the Star of Italy was established in 2011 to replace the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, which honored the personalities who contributed to the rebuilding of Italy after World War II.
The President of the Republic usually confers this Medal on the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and rewards Italians or foreign dignitaries who have worked to "strengthen friendship and cooperation between Italy and other countries".
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