Politics · Italy · 5 hrs ago
Marco Travaglio says Europe blames Putin too readily for protests
At the Eccellenze 2026 awards in Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, journalist Marco Travaglio spoke about claims that Russia’s Vladimir Putin is behind protests and election results.
He said it was wrong to assume that any election outcome European governments dislike was rigged by Putin.
He also questioned claims that protests, including one involving an 11-year-old, were organised by him.
Travaglio argued that European leaders should ask why they are so disliked rather than shifting blame to Russia.
He warned that overstating Putin’s role gives him more importance than he has.
He also said it could make Russian propaganda seem less foolish than European messaging.
The speech called for European leaders to examine their own actions, but no next steps were stated.
Marco Travaglio said European leaders are too quick to blame Russian President Vladimir Putin for elections and protests they dislike.
He argued that European leaders should ask why they are widely hated instead of shifting blame to Putin.
Travaglio made the remarks while receiving the Eccellenze 2026 award at Italy’s Chamber of Deputies.
He said repeatedly attributing events to Putin gives him more importance and could make Russian propaganda seem less foolish than Western propaganda.
- Who
- Marco Travaglio, editor of Il Fatto Quotidiano.
- What
- He criticized European leaders for blaming Putin too readily for elections and protests.
- When
- Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- Where
- The Chamber of Deputies.
- Why
- He said it is easier for European leaders to blame Putin than to ask why they are so widely hated.
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- Speaker
- Marco Travaglio
- Role
- Editor of Il Fatto Quotidiano
- Award
- Eccellenze 2026
- Event date
- Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Venue
- Chamber of Deputies
What people are saying
Is it really possible that any election that does not go the way the European chanceries want was rigged by Putin?
If European ruling classes are so detested, they should ask themselves why they are so hated.
It is much easier to beat one’s breast in someone else’s place than one’s own.
By doing so, people will think that Russian propaganda is a little less stupid than ours.