Italy Questions Russians Over Their Goodwill Virus Gestures

Rome government defends Russia aid, hits back on press freedom
Russia says newspaper foments Russophobia, ‘fake news’

Soldiers from the Russian military pack equipment following their full disinfection of the Foundation of Ponte S. Pietro nursing home in Ponte San Pietro, near Bergamo, Italy, on April 1.Photographer: Bloomberg/Bloomberg

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By John Follain, Alessandro Speciale, and Stepan Kravchenko

April 3, 2020 at 5:15 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

President Vladimir Putin’s bid to help Italy fight its coronavirus outbreak triggered a war of words after news reports questioned the sincerity of Russia’s initiative.

While Italy’s government has welcomed the aid, the Defense Ministry in Moscow expressed outrage after mainstream newspaper La Stampa said most of it missed the mark and that some military staff sent by Russia were spies. The accusation from Moscow that La Stampa was “digging its own grave” with Russophobic fake news prompted Italy to remind Russia about the value of press freedom.