The expulsion of 30 diplomats over war crimes allegedly committed by Russian forces against civilians in Ukraine does mean that Italy is "shutting down" diplomacy with Russia, according to foreign minister Luigi Di Maio.
"For national security reasons, Italy expelled 30 Russian officials holding diplomatic passports," Di Maio told the Porta Porta chat show, referring to expulsions he announced a day earlier.
"Obviously, after this decision, we await Moscow's reaction," Di Maio said.
"But this doesn't mean shutting down diplomatic channels with Russia," Di Maio underlined.
Speaking on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels earlier on Wednesday, Di Maio said Italy and its allies are trying to organise a peace conference to end Russia's 42-day-old war in Ukraine.
