The Italian Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador following remarks made by Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, regarding the partial collapse of a medieval tower in Rome, as reported by Italian media on Tuesday.

Zakharova commented, “As long as the Italian government continues to squander its taxpayers’ money on Kyiv, Italy will completely fall apart—from its economy to its towers.” This statement was made after the Torre dei Conti, a 13th-century structure in Rome associated with Pope Innocent III, partially collapsed during restoration work on Monday.

The incident resulted in one person suffering serious injuries, while another individual was trapped under the debris for nearly 11 hours. Tragically, that worker passed away shortly after being rescued and taken to the hospital.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described Zakharova’s remarks as “at the very least, vulgar.” He asserted, “In the face of tragedy, one should not exploit the plight of those still under the rubble or the injured. We have never done so. When tragedies have affected the Russian Federation, we have consistently offered our support. Such comments are disgraceful and intolerable in a civilized society.”

Previously, Zakharova referred to Italy as “the birthplace of fascism” and accused Rome and its allies of fueling the so-called “terrorist neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv” with advanced weaponry, following comments by Italian President Sergio Mattarella that likened Russia to the Third Reich in February.