Premier Mario Draghi has expressed solidarity with Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio over the death threats made against him for his criticism of Russia's war in Ukraine and also backed his efforts for peace.
"My full solidarity with foreign minister Luigi Di Maio for the despicable threats he has received," Draghi said in a statement.
"The government fully supports his (Di Maio's) commitment to defending Ukraine and to fostering peace," the statement added.
The statement came after extremists including supporters of Russia's president Vladimir Putin unleashed a slew of vile threats against Di Maio on Telegram, currently Russia's most popular messaging tool.