"Our position of principle regarding the armies that invaded the Soviet Union was defined by Stalin, and there is nothing more to say. In practice, however, if a large number of prisoners die as a result of the harsh conditions, I have absolutely nothing to say about it. On the contrary. And I'll explain why. There is no doubt that the Italian people have been poisoned by the imperialist and brigand ideology of fascism. Not to the same extent as the German people, but to a considerable extent. The poison has penetrated the peasants, the workers, not to mention the petty bourgeoisie and the intellectuals; in short, it has penetrated the people. The fact that for thousands and thousands of families Mussolini's war, and above all the expedition against Russia, will end in tragedy, in personal mourning, is the best and most effective antidote. {{NDR|Response of 15 February 1943 to a letter from Vincenzo Bianco asking him to intervene with the Kremlin on behalf of Italian prisoners in Russia."