ROME. “We learned with deep regret of the Russian Federation’s decision to expel the Deputy Naval Attaché of the Italian Embassy in Moscow with 24 hours’ notice. We consider the decision to be unfounded and unjust because it is in retaliation for a legitimate measure taken by the Italian authorities to defend their own safety ». This is what is stated in a note from the Farnesina.
And again: “On April 26, the Italian ambassador in Moscow Pasquale Terracciano was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry where he was given a note from the ministry stating that the assistant to the defense and naval attaché at the Italian embassy in Moscow “was declared a person” unwelcome in response to the hostile and unfounded actions of the Italian authorities against the defense office of the Russian Embassy in Rome “, explained the ministry as reported by the Russian agency Tax The attendant was ordered to leave Russia within 24 hours.
That of the Italian naval attaché is not the only case of the day: Russia also declared an official of the Ukrainian embassy in Moscow “persona non grata”, ordering him to leave Russian territory by 30 April.