Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on Wednesday that the country will be expelling 24 Italian diplomats from its territory, as a response to the latter's earlier ban of 30 Russian diplomats in April.
Meanwhile, following the comment, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said that despite such a decision, this should not lead to the termination of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Nevertheless, Draghi labeled the action a "hostile gesture."
Earlier, Russia announced it would be expelling a number of French diplomats.
