Italy announced the expulsion of two Russian diplomats suspected of espionage. Russia expressed regret.
Regarding the arrest of Italian naval officers and Russian military attachés of the Russian Embassy in Italy on charges of espionage, Italian Foreign Minister Di Maio posted on social media on March 31, local time, that he summoned the Russian ambassador to Italy Sergei on the same day of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In Lazov, the Italian government expressed a strong protest to the Russian side and announced that the two Russian embassy officials involved in this serious incident will be deported immediately.
According to a report by RIA Novosti local time on the 31st, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret that Italy announced the expulsion of two Russian embassy officials. The Russian side is learning the relevant details and will make a statement on this action that does not meet the level of relations between the two countries.
On the same day (31st), Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov stated that the Kremlin does not yet know the reasons and background for the arrest of Russian military attachés by Italy, but hopes that the positive and constructive bilateral relations between Russia and Italy can continue to develop.
(Headquarters reporter Deng Zongyu and Wang Bin)