Italy has expelled 30 Russian
diplomats "for reasons of national security", Foreign Minister
Luigi Di Maio said in Berlin on Tuesday.
"On my instruction, Ambassador Ettore Sequi, the Secretary
General of the Foreign Ministry, this morning summoned the
Russian Federation's Ambassador to Italy Sergey Razov to the
foreign ministry to notify him of the Italian government's
decision to expel 30 Russian diplomats in service at the embassy
as they are 'personae non gratae'," Di Maio said.
"This decision, taken in agreement with the other European and
Atlantic partners, was made necessary by reasons linked to our
national security within the context of the current crisis
situation caused by the unjustified attack on Ukraine by the
Russian Federation".
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova was quoted
by Interfax as saying that Moscow would give a "pertinent
response".
Di Maio added that "threats will not stop our effort for peace.
"Our peace effort continues, our aim is to achieve peace and
this war in Ukraine was wanted and started by (Russian President
Vladimir) Putin," added the minister on the fringes of a
conference in Berlin on support for Moldova.
"We must stop it with all our strength, starting with a
ceasefire and (then) reaching an agreement".
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