Assistants hold umbrellas to shield Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko from rain during a meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia July 18, 2019. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin
Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced "concern" Friday over Russian support of European populist parties as controversy rages about Moscow's alleged links to Italy's far-right League party.
Italian prosecutors have questioned an associate of deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini over claims the associate tried to broker covert Russian funding for the party, Italian newspapers reported Monday.
"I heard about that, of course, but I think clearing up these issues is an Italian matter," Merkel told a Berlin press conference.
"As far as Russia's general approach is concerned, this naturally raises questions," added the veteran leader.
"We have seen time and again that right-wing parties, populist parties, are very strongly supported by Russia in one way or another, and that is cause for concern."
Merkel, who has a long and often difficult relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, added: "I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to working for a good relationship with Russia."
"But anyone who says we want this good relationship must still face the reality," she said. "And the reality is often different from what I would wish for."
Salvini, who is also Italy's interior minister, has never hidden his admiration for Putin, who visited Italy this month, but has denied taking money from Moscow.
