Interview in Berlusconi broadcaster: Lavrov need fear no questions

In an Italian TV station, Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov was able to monologue about the Russian justification for the war against Ukraine. The station is owned by ex-Prime Minister Berlusconi – and he valued Putin for a long time.

Silvio Berlusconi knew nothing. On the evening when the interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was broadcast, he received guests in his villa in Arcore, Lombardy, insiders assure the Italian media. But “Rete 4” belongs to the Berlusconi media group, and since the end of 2021 it has been operating under the new name “Media for Europe” based in Amsterdam.

For years, former Prime Minister Berlusconi had a very special friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They went on vacation together, snapshots show two good-humoured men who are very fond of each other.

“Deeply disappointed in Putin”

But three weeks ago, Berlusconi distanced himself from Putin. He cannot and does not want to hide the fact that he is “deeply disappointed and saddened” by Putin’s behavior – Putin has “taken on a very heavy responsibility towards the whole world”.

He always saw Putin as a man of democracy, of peace; what is happening is “really a shame”.

Tobias Mörschel, head of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Rome, says that was not a complete departure from Putin. Unlike other Western politicians, Berlusconi did not demand that Putin belong before the International Criminal Court. “He’s disappointed in Putin, but that’s about it.”

A stage for 42 minutes

In prime time, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was allowed to explain himself for 42 minutes in the program “Zona Bianca”. It was his first interview in a western medium since the beginning of the war.

Moderator Giuseppe Brindisi provided key words, Lavrov monologized the Russian view of the Ukraine war. He calls the massacre of civilians in Bucha a fake, saying that Russia wants to save the people in eastern Ukraine from alleged nazification.

No interview – a “popular speech”

Shortly after the broadcast, the first criticism rained down, especially on the content, but also on the form. Prime Minister Mario Draghi said it was not an interview but a “popular speech”.

One has to ask oneself whether one should invite a person who asks to be interviewed, without any question, for an interview of a certain length, not just a minute or two. That, Draghi continues, “is not a good performance professionally and gives rise to strange thoughts. It’s really not great.”

Many politicians in Italy see it like Draghi, speaking of propaganda. But others, like opposition leader Giorgia Meloni of the post-fascist Fratelli d’Italia, do not want to blame the broadcaster, i.e. Mediaset. Lavrov made the statements.

Lavrov takes the opportunity

“Rete 4” is actually a small station that has belonged to the Berlusconi empire since 1984. The editors of “Zona Bianca” announced that they had had the idea of ​​interviewing Lavrov for three weeks. The green light came last Thursday.

Apparently, according to Mörschel, the editors had many Italians in mind, because not everyone agrees on the right measures to be taken in the Ukraine war.

According to Mörschel, half of Italy’s population is opposed to supplying heavy weapons, and only just under 40 percent would be in favor of it. The same applies to other important questions regarding the future of Ukraine: “It is a minority of Italians who are in favor of Ukraine joining the EU quickly.”

It is precisely this audience that the private television station could have addressed. And Lavrov knew beforehand that his answers would be fully reproduced. The editors agreed.