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".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
