Carlo Calenda, the leader of the Italian political party Azione, has made a sharp and humorous critique of Matteo Salvini, Italy's Minister of Transport, during his travels to Ukraine. Calenda's comments come as he participates in a symbolic commemoration of the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is marked on February 24. He humorously noted that despite taking a 'Soviet-era train' to Kiev, it was remarkably punctual, suggesting that such reliability is unusual in the context of Italian train services, famously plagued by delays.

In a direct address to Salvini, Calenda stated, "Even the Soviet train to Kiev is on time, ask yourself some questions," implying a broader criticism of Italian public transport. This ironic statement also serves to cast doubt on the effectiveness and accountability of current Italian transport policies and the Minister's ability to improve them. By juxtaposing his experience of punctuality on an old Soviet train with the inefficiencies of Italy's train system, Calenda highlights a pressing issue that resonates with many Italians.

The comments come at a time of significant political tension in Italy regarding transportation infrastructure and management. As Italy copes with various challenges, including the need for reliable public transport, Calenda’s remarks reflect not only a personal critique but also a larger commentary on the state of governance within the country. By using humor in his political discourse, Calenda aims to engage citizens in discussions about transport efficiency while holding government officials accountable for their performance.