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".
The foreign ministry at the Farnesina in Rome said Wednesday "Italy notes the Russian Federation's decision to expel 24 members of the Italian diplomatic representations and of the ICE (foreign trade) Office in the Russian Federation.
"The staff subjected to the measure has always exercised their functions in full respect for the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations".
The Farnesina added: "In reiterating its firm condemnation of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, Italy strongly asks for an immediate cease-fire that will put an end to the suffering of the civilian population and guarantee the start of concrete negotiations for a peaceful and sustainable solution to the conflict".
The Russian foreign ministry said "Italy's openly hostile and unjustified actions" in expelling 30 Russian diplomats last month had prompted its action.
It said "the 24 employees of the Italian diplomatic and consular institutions in Russia declared 'personae non gratae' will have to leave the country within eight days". |
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