Rome, 1 November 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was duped in a call by renowned Russian pranksters, whose targets have also included former German chancellor Angela Merkel, her office in Rome confirmed on Wednesday.

Meloni, who heads the ultra-right Brothers of Italy party, was taken in by a caller claiming to be Comoros President Azali Assoumani, the current chair of the African Union.

In fact, it was the Russian prankster duo known as Vovan and Lexus.

The call took place on September 18, ahead of the UN General Assembly, Meloni's office said. The Italian government did not comment on the content of the call.

However, excerpts were published in Russia, by the Ria Novosti news agency among others. The two Russians - whose real names are Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov - have repeatedly tricked world leaders and celebreties in this way.

According to the published excerpts, Meloni said of Russia's war against Ukraine, which began in February 2022, that there was "great fatigue on all sides."

The Italian premier is quoted as saying: "The time is approaching when everyone will understand that we need a way out." She reportedly said that she had "some ideas" about this, but wanted to wait for the right moment.

According to the Russian reports, the conversation also dealt with the issue of migration. Meloni is quoted as saying: "For a long time, Europe thought it could solve the problem by limiting it to Italy. The problem is that the others aren't dealing with it."

Meloni came to government a year ago promising to get irregular immigration under control. In fact, more migrants appear to be arriving in Italy from the Mediterranean Sea this year than ever before.

The Russian duo, who are considered close to the government of President Vladimir Putin, have also tricked former British defence minister Ben Wallace and Berlin's ex-mayor Franziska Giffey.

For the conversation with Merkel, one of the two had posed as former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko. In Russia, their stunts are often celebrated by pro-Kremlin media and commentators.

Photo: EPA