Zaharova Accuses Italian Foreign Minister Tajani of Lying

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani's statements on the expulsion of two Italian diplomats from Russia as 'untrue'. Zakharova stated that this decision was not 'unfounded' or an 'act of revenge', but rather a 'retaliation' for the expulsion of Russian diplomats by Italy.The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously demanded that the Italian naval and air attaché and the deputy naval attaché leave the country. In response, the Italian military attaché Davide D'Aprile and the deputy defense attaché Vittorio Parrella at the Italian Embassy in Moscow were declared 'persona non grata'.Zakharova criticized Italy's inconsistent approach, emphasizing that it was a 'legitimate response to the actions of the Italian government against our diplomats'.