China News Agency, Moscow, March 31. According to news from RIA Novosti on the 31st, in response to Italy’s expulsion of two Russian diplomats, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that day that Italy’s move was not in line with the level of relations between the two countries and possible response measures would be Announced later.
The statement emphasized that Russia regrets the expulsion of Russian diplomats by Italy.
We are investigating the situation at that time.
Russian President’s Press Secretary Peskov said on the same day that Russia is still unclear on the relevant details, but hopes that Russia and Italy maintain a positive and constructive relationship.
Interfax News Agency quoted Slutsky, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament), as saying that Italy had no reason to expel two Russian diplomats.
"The paranoid fear of spies has reached Italy."
The expulsion of Russian diplomats by Italy is an extreme measure that will leave a negative mark in the dialogue between Russia and Italy.
According to news from Russian media on the 31st, Italian police had previously arrested a diplomat from the military attache's office of the Russian embassy in Italy and an Italian navy officer.
The navy officer was suspected of selling classified military documents to Russian diplomats.
Italian Foreign Minister Di Maio said on the 31st that Italy will expel two Russian personnel who were accidentally handed over for alleged intelligence transactions.
He has met with the Russian ambassador to Italy and conveyed the protests of the Italian government to the latter.
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