Matteo Salvini defends plan for Russian-funded Moscow trip

Far-right leader's visit, which he called a peace mission', put on ice after criticism from government allies

Matteo Salvini has defended himself after the Russian embassy in Italy revealed it had funded the far-right League leader's planned trip to Moscow last month.

Salvini had intended to travel to the Russian capital on 29 May on what he called a peace mission", but the trip was put on ice after criticism from his allies in the Italian government, which had not been made aware of his plans.