If the Italian government reopens diplomatic channels with Russia it will distance itself from the rest of the European Union, centre-left opposition Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein said Monday over Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli's meeting with the Russian ambassador to Italy at the beginning of last month in a row Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani dismissed as "pointless" since Rome has not severed ties with Moscow.
"We only found out today about the meeting between Cirielli and the Russian ambassador; we have already submitted a question," said Schlein.
"If the government is reopening or reinforcing diplomatic relations with Russia, it will distance itself from the EU's unified position, and it must clarify what the Russian ambassador and Cirielli discussed".
The Democratic Party said it had submitted "an urgent question to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to request clarification regarding a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli and the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Italy.
"The initiative, promoted by Democratic deputies of the Chamber of Deputies' Foreign Affairs Committee, requires the Government to provide detailed clarification on three key issues.
