Formal reprimand for the Russian Deputy Head of Mission to Italy: Russian spokeswoman’s comments on the collapse of part of the Torre dei Conti are unacceptable

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Russian Ambassador to Italy, represented by his Deputy Head of Mission, to the Foreign Ministry today. The diplomat was given a formal reprimand, and the vulgar comments of Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, on yesterday's collapse of part of the Torre dei Conti were criticized.

The Foreign Ministry firmly reiterates its condemnation of the Russian spokeswoman's troubling statements, released during a tragedy that claimed human lives in Italy. The Russian Deputy Head of Mission was told that the spokesperson's words were even more unacceptable, considering Italy's sentiments of solidarity when tragic events had taken place in Russia. Italy will not change its foreign policy stance or sentiments because of reckless verbal attacks.

Today, realizing the vulgarity of the comments made, the Russian Embassy in Rome disavowed the spokeswoman's statement, and offered condolences for the worker killed in the collapse. All the aggressive statements coming from Russia, however, do nothing but reinforce the Italian people's belief that they must defend those under attack in an illegal and unjustified attack, in violation of international law.