Italian foreign minister warns of potential Russian interference in EU elections

On September 2, 2026, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani warned that the Russian Federation might attempt to interfere in the democratic processes and upcoming elections within the European Union. Speaking at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Wicklow, Ireland, Tajani stated that such attempts to sway the will of the public would be unacceptable. He emphasized that this is a systemic concern for all EU member states rather than an isolated issue facing Italy alone.

To combat these threats, the Italian Foreign Ministry established a specialized security division earlier this year that operates 24/7. This unit is specifically tasked with monitoring and neutralizing cyberattacks, many of which the government attributes to Russian hackers. Tajani stressed that European nations must maintain high levels of vigilance to prevent foreign actors from compromising democratic institutions, noting that such interference is particularly concerning from a country with which the EU is not at war.

The minister’s remarks underscore ongoing European concerns regarding election integrity and cyber security. EU officials are expected to continue monitoring these activities closely as part of broader regional defensive measures.