Italy Responded Sharply to Russia Over Statements Regarding an Explosion at a Moscow Restaurant
Italy has called Russia’s claims that the explosion at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in Moscow was allegedly orchestrated to “intimidate Italians” a “colossal lie.” Rome has rejected the accusations made by Russian diplomats.
Earlier, the Russian Embassy in Italy issued a statement regarding the explosion at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in Moscow. The Russian side linked the incident to an alleged attempt to exert pressure on Italian society, while journalists reported that the possible target of the attack could have been Alexander Chaika, commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
According to the embassy’s statement, it was allegedly thanks to a Russian security officer that “the chef from Naples, K. Alfieri, and members of his team were not harmed.”
“The Kyiv terrorists wanted to intimidate Italians working in Russia, to show them that they, too, are in the crosshairs and could become the next victims of these scoundrels at any moment,” the statement asserts.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called this version a “colossal lie.”
“The claim that the attack on an Italian restaurant in Moscow was carried out ‘to intimidate Italians’ is a colossal lie. Why would Ukrainians want to intimidate Italians if our country supports Kyiv?” said Antonio Tajani.
Claims of Ukraine’s involvement in the explosion in Moscow are currently coming only from Russia. Kyiv has not commented on this incident in any way.
This was reported by the embassy.
Italy may close the Schengen Zone to Spain due to the migration crisis.
Italy has decided to join the EU’s rearmament funding program.
As a reminder, a former intelligence officer was detained in Italy on suspicion of spying for Russia.
Following the arrest of the former Italian ambassador to Uzbekistan, Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini di Sant’Agnese, Italian visa centers in Russia have introduced stricter rules for submitting applications for Schengen visas.
