Russia to expel 24 Italian diplomats

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 18 - Russia is to tell Italy's Ambassador to Moscow Giorgio Starace that it has decided to expel 24 Italian diplomats, Ria Novosti quoted the Russian foreign ministry as saying on Wednesday.
    Earlier in the day, ANSA sources said Starace had been summoned to the foreign ministry.
    Italy expelled 30 Russian diplomats "for reasons of national security" in April.
    "It is a hostile act," Italian Premier Mario Draghi told a news conference after meeting Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Rome.
    "But diplomatic relations must absolutely not be interrupted.
    "This must not lead to the interruption of the diplomatic channels because, if you achieve peace, you achieve it via those diplomatic channels". (ANSA).