Usa: Russia has financed over 20 foreign parties. Hunt for names in Italy: clash in the centre-right

From 2014 to today, the Russia would have spent at least 300 million dollars to finance two dozen parties belonging to other countries, mostly in Europe, for the purpose ofinfluence elections and political orientations. He supports it an American intelligence report that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent on Monday to US embassies in over XNUMX countries. The names of the countries and personalities involved have not been disclosed.

Blinken's words

Blinken aims to thwart Russia's operations in Europe, Asia and Africa, "shedding light on secret political financing and attempts to undermine democratic processes - he told the The Washington Post the US secretary of state – We are warning these foreign parties and candidates that if they secretly accept money from Moscow, we can report them and we will”. The American newspaper cites the example of an Asian country where the Russian ambassador allegedly gave millions of dollars in cash to a presidential candidate.

Lega's background

In Italy, the League had signed a political cooperation agreement with United Russia, Putin's party, and Matteo Salvini has often defended Moscow's positions. In the past, then, the recordings of the conversations had in October 2018 by Gianluca Savoini, Salvini's right-hand man for Russia, at the hotel Metropol. The judiciary had opened un'inchiesta on the episode, assuming that there was discussion of illicit financing, but the investigation is still ongoing. It is inevitable, however, that the news released today by American intelligence weigh like a ton on the electoral campaign underway in our country.

Salvini's reaction

In a statement released tonight, Salvini threatens to sue anyone who associates the name of the League with the report arrived from the United States. “Falsehoods and insinuations will no longer be tolerated: that's enough – we read – I have never asked for or taken money. Say first and last names. Did you pay the Democratic Party? If Russia has paid the Democratic Party, it is right that we know. The only foreign country that in my political activity offered me a paid trip abroad was the United States. I didn't go. Others went there, free to do so”.

The positions of the other parties

As for Brothers of Italy, one of the founders of the party, Guido Crosetto, asked via Twitter that the names of the politicians involved be clarified, because "taking money from Russia is high treason".

Giuseppe Conte said the Movement 5 Stars, “as always, acts in full transparency. We hope that light will be shed as soon as possible - he added - and that Copasir will investigate with the full support of all parliamentary forces. I express some concern that the final part of the electoral campaign could be polluted by external factors. We hope that no one bends a question of national security to sinister political interests".

Finally, Enrico Letta calls for voters to be informed by 25 September on who has received funding from the Kremlin: "In Italy there must be due information and clarity before the vote. Italians should know if political parties in this country have been financed by a power, Russia, which today is against Europe, has invaded Europe. So we ask the Italian government to provide the information, for Copasir to intervene".