“European leaders, tired of war”…Meloni, the Italian prime minister who was tricked into making a prank call
Russian YouTuber releases recording of phone call with Prime Minister Meloni…Prime Minister’s Office Recognizes Currency
Italian Prime Minister Jorja Meloni was deceived by a Russian YouTuber’s prank call and told his honest feelings about the war in Ukraine.
According to the Italian daily La Repubblica on the 1st (local time), Russian YouTubers Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, who work under the stage names Boban and Lexus, respectively, released a recording of the phone call with Meloni online.
In a 15-minute recording of the call, Meloni said European leaders were tired of the 20-month war in Ukraine.
“I see a lot of people tired,” he said. Truthfully, perhaps we’re approaching the moment when everyone understands they need a way out, he said. “The problem is finding an exit that both sides can accept without violating international law.”
Meloni also complained that Italy has accepted 120,000 African immigrants this year, but the rest of the EU does not care.
Mr. Meloni was speaking to and believed a senior diplomat from the African Union, but was actually speaking to Russian YouTubers Boban and Lexus.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement on the same day, confirming that the call took place on September 18 after acknowledging that the recording of the call released by a Russian YouTuber was true. The Prime Minister’s Office said, “The Prime Minister is sorry that he was deceived.”
The two YouTubers were previously Boris Johnson, former British Prime Minister Angela Merkel, former German President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye, and J.K., the author of the global bestseller “Harry Potter.” Rowling and British singer Elton John have also tried to make trick calls.
La Repubblica said the pair’s easy success on the phone with world leaders many suspect they may have at least had significant help from Russian security agencies.
The media introduced that its Moscow correspondent asked about the issue when he interviewed them in 2016.
Then, they said, “It is legal for someone to help us find a phone number,” adding, “But it is us who choose.” What’s wrong with patriotism?”
When asked if they could make a prank call to Russian President Vladimir Putin, they shook their heads and replied, “The Patriarch Kirill (the head of the Russian Orthodox Church) is possible.”
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
