Italy is planning to organize an exhibition about how Mariupol is experiencing "recovery" after being captured by Russians. Ukraine has reacted to plans for this propagandistic event.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Oleg Nikolenko, reported this information. An announcement for the event, scheduled to take place in the Italian city of Modena on January 20, appeared on Facebook. The exhibition's description includes typical propagandistic narratives, such as the "rapid recovery process" after Russian forces captured Mariupol.
The exhibition-conference is organized by the cultural association "Russia Emilia-Romagna." The organizers promise to showcase the "results of the work of the new city administration" after the occupation of Mariupol.
The event is expected to feature speeches by the association's president, Luka Rossi, the Russian Consul General Dmitry Shtodin, Italian representative of the international Russophile movement Eliseo Bertolasi, and "independent journalist" Andrea Lucidi.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oleg Nikolenko stated that the exhibition in Modena depicting the "recovery" of Mariupol under Russian occupation is a provocation. The Ukrainian MFA has already instructed the Ukrainian Embassy in Rome to prepare an official appeal.
"At the official level, Italy strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We expect an appropriate reaction to this propagandistic event," added Nikolenko.
