"In remembering the sacrifice of those who fought to restore our freedom, we reaffirm the Italian Republic's commitment to peace, respect for human rights, and the construction of more just and supportive national and international societies ."

This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, during a meeting at the Quirinale with representatives of the Veterans' and Armed Forces' Associations on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the Liberation.

"Freedom and peace," he added, " are not elements and givens acquired once and for all. They are assets weakened by folly and require awareness and commitment ," the president said. "They are a heritage that must be protected, kept alive, and passed on to future generations. The prevalence of the law imposed by those who believe themselves temporarily stronger is destined, in fact, to sow grief and destruction, paving the way for permanent conflict and barbarism in international life."

"The Liberation struggle," he concludes, "is one of the founding pages of the history of the Republic. It marks the moral and civil redemption of a people who, in the Resistance, expressed their strength and ability to affirm the values of freedom, justice, peace, and democracy. Those values, enshrined in our Constitution, are not merely the fruit of a historic era: they form the foundation of the values of our civil coexistence and of Italy's presence on the international stage. A condition achieved at a high price, which rigorously reminds us, every day, of the responsibility to defend and renew it. With these sentiments, I renew to all of you my most cordial greetings and my most sincere thanks for the invaluable contribution you continue to make to Italy. Long live Liberation. Long live the Republic."

Solovyov's attack

Meanwhile, from Moscow, pro-Putin TV host Vladimir Solovyov, in his program and in an episode titled "Appeal to Italy - Financiers of Nazism," "Remember the statements of your politicians in office: when one of your politicians, like a minister, says of the supreme commander that 'he is worse than an animal,' ." Thus, "You Italians, perhaps you don't know it, but I want you to know about the shame of your grandparents and great-grandparents who came to this land to kill Soviet citizens. In Donbass, you imposed the rule that for every Italian killed, you eliminated 80."