MOSCOW, October 26. /TASS/. Russia resolutely protests against Italy’s decision to revoke Russia’s invitation to attend a Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) meeting opening in Rome later today, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Wednesday.
"We are outraged over the fact that Italy has revoked an invitation it sent to Russia earlier to attend an Expert Group meeting of the Proliferation Security Initiative opening in Rome on October 26. We vehemently protest," the statement reads.
According to Zakharova, Russia is a full-fledged member of the Group just like Italy. "For years, we have been defending the fundamental principles of not targeting any countries, the inadmissibility of seizing relevant cargoes while adhering to international law and member-countries’ legislative norms," she added.
The Russian diplomat condemned what she called an unfriendly move by Rome as the latest anti-Russian provocation. "Having banned our experts from attending the event, Italy grossly violated its authority, completely undermined its credibility and admitted its reluctance to fulfill its commitments as president or to host multilateral events," Zakharova maintained.
The diplomat blasted similar moves seemingly aimed at isolating Russia as unacceptable and destructive. "These are clear proof that the United States and NATO in general are seeking to readjust PSI tools in order to solve their own problems with Italy’s hands," she said. "Russia hereby totally and completely distances itself from any understandings or agreements that could be reached by member countries at the Rome event," Zakharova warned.
"At the same time, we firmly reiterate Russia’s commitment to non-proliferation and willingness to keep making a valuable contribution to efforts to achieve corresponding goals in cooperation with truly interested partners," she concluded.