Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would take retaliatory measures, according to Russia’s RIA state news agency, following the Italian government’s announcement earlier on Thursday.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the government had decided to expel the two Russian military attaches over their alleged involvement in espionage-related activities. The officials have been instructed to leave Rome within three days.

The expulsions follow an investigation by Italian authorities that led earlier this week to the arrest of two people on charges of passing classified information to a Russian agent.

Italian prosecutors said the principal suspect is a former officer of the Carabinieri, Italy’s national military police force. They added that five other individuals are also under investigation in connection with the case.

In a post on social media platform X, Tajani said Russia continued to use what he described as “hybrid tools” against Italy and other Western countries. He called the alleged activities “serious and unacceptable interference” that posed a threat to Italy’s national security.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry rejected the Italian move and said it would respond, without providing details on the nature or timing of any retaliatory action.

The latest dispute adds to a series of diplomatic tensions between Moscow and Western governments since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. European countries have repeatedly expelled Russian diplomats over allegations of espionage and other activities considered incompatible with their diplomatic status, while Russia has typically responded with reciprocal expulsions.

Neither Italian authorities nor Russia’s Foreign Ministry provided further details on the specific allegations against the two military attaches beyond the statements issued on Thursday.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Jerusalem with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Saar said Israel, Lebanon and the United States had reached what he described as a historic framework agreement less than two weeks earlier and that follow-up discussions would continue in the Italian capital.

Saar said the upcoming talks would build on the understandings reached under the framework negotiated with US support. He added that Israel had no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.

The negotiations are part of ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Israel, Lebanon and the United States to implement and expand the framework agreed upon last month.

The meeting in Rome is expected to provide another opportunity for the parties to continue discussions under the US-backed process, although no further details about the agenda or the expected participants were immediately disclosed.

The announcement came during Saar’s meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Jerusalem, where the two ministers addressed regional developments and diplomatic initiatives.

Israel and Lebanon remain technically in a state of war and have no formal diplomatic relations. The latest negotiations represent part of broader international efforts to reduce tensions and maintain stability along their shared border following months of regional insecurity.

The Rome prosecutor’s office said the principal suspect is a 59-year-old former officer in the Carabinieri military police who previously served within Italy’s intelligence apparatus. Prosecutors did not disclose his identity.

The investigation centers on allegations that the suspect transferred protected information and unlawfully accessed information technology and telecommunications systems.

According to prosecutors, the former officer accepted payments in exchange for providing classified information to a Russian intelligence operative. The information was allegedly obtained through contacts that included four serving members of the Italian armed forces.

The Russian agent allegedly involved in the case is protected by diplomatic immunity in Italy, preventing immediate legal action against the individual under Italian jurisdiction.

Five additional people are under investigation as part of the inquiry, which prosecutors said began in May 2025. Authorities did not provide further details regarding their alleged roles or whether any charges had been filed.

The Russian embassy in Rome did not immediately comment on the allegations.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the investigation illustrated what he described as Russia’s approach toward Italy, which has provided military and civilian assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Writing on the social media platform X, Crosetto described the case as part of a broader “hybrid war,” saying it exposed both external threats and individuals willing to betray their country for financial or personal benefit.

The arrests come as European governments continue to intensify efforts against suspected espionage and foreign intelligence operations following the deterioration of relations between Russia and Western countries after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

Italy has previously prosecuted similar espionage cases involving Russian officials. In 2021, Italian navy captain Walter Biot was arrested after authorities said he was caught handing confidential documents to an employee of the Russian embassy in a Rome parking area. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison.

The latest investigation remains ongoing, with prosecutors continuing to examine the alleged transfer of classified information and the involvement of additional suspects.

The visit, the first by the American-born pontiff to the island, includes stops at a cemetery where unidentified migrants are buried, a meeting with a migrant family, a visit to the “Door of Europe” memorial, and a Mass celebrating solidarity with those forced to flee conflict, poverty and persecution.

Leo’s trip comes less than two weeks after the European Union approved new migration rules that expand detention powers and permit the establishment of deportation centers outside the bloc, a move that has intensified debate over the balance between border security and humanitarian obligations.

Since assuming the papacy, the Chicago-born pope has made the protection of migrants a defining priority, continuing an emphasis established by his predecessor, Pope Francis. Leo has repeatedly praised individuals and organizations assisting vulnerable migrants while criticizing policies that rely primarily on deportation and deterrence.

The 70-year-old pontiff is expected to use his visit to urge governments to create safe and legal pathways for migration, presenting humanitarian protection as an essential responsibility rather than solely a border management issue.

Filippo Ungaro, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said Leo’s presence on Lampedusa sends a significant message at a time when international discussions increasingly focus on border controls instead of protection and shared responsibility toward displaced people.

Located about 145 kilometers (90 miles) from Tunisia, Lampedusa has become one of Europe’s most recognizable gateways for migrants attempting the dangerous Central Mediterranean crossing from North Africa. While known for its tourism industry and beaches, the island has also become a symbol of both rescue efforts and repeated maritime tragedies.

More than 360 migrants died in the island’s deadliest recorded shipwreck in 2013, and numerous others have lost their lives in subsequent years while attempting the crossing. The pope has previously praised the compassion shown by the island’s roughly 6,000 residents toward those arriving by sea.

During the visit, Leo is scheduled to begin at the cemetery where unidentified migrants are buried in numbered graves before visiting the “Door of Europe,” a monument dedicated to those who died attempting to reach Europe. He will also stop at the island’s pier, where migrants rescued by the Italian coast guard and humanitarian rescue vessels first arrive.

At the harbor, Leo will bless a plaque honoring Pope Francis, who chose Lampedusa for his first pastoral trip after becoming pope in 2013. The visit will conclude with an outdoor Mass at a local sports field.

The trip follows Leo’s recent visit to Spain’s Canary Islands, another major migration route into Europe, where he criticized human trafficking networks. He has also condemned measures aimed at restricting irregular migration and previously described the treatment of immigrants by the United States administration as “inhuman.”

Speaking on Friday during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, Leo called for moderation in American political discourse and highlighted the contribution successive generations of immigrants have made to the country’s development.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Central Mediterranean remains the world’s deadliest migration route. The agency says around 1,330 people died or disappeared while attempting the crossing last year, underscoring the continuing humanitarian risks faced by migrants seeking to reach Europe.

Salvatore Sortino, director of the IOM Coordination Office for the Mediterranean, said the fatalities demonstrate the urgent need to strengthen search-and-rescue operations. Humanitarian organizations operating rescue vessels have repeatedly argued that European authorities should do more to prevent deaths at sea.

UNHCR data show that more than 14,000 migrants reached Italy during the first six months of the year, with most departing from Libya. Nearly 60 percent of those arrivals landed on Lampedusa, although overall arrivals remain well below the levels recorded during the Arab Spring in 2011, when maritime border controls collapsed and tens of thousands reached the island within months.

The explosion, which occurred in the town of Pomezia about 20 km (12 miles) south of Rome, destroyed two vehicles belonging to Ranucci, a prominent investigative reporter known for exposing corruption and organized crime. No injuries were reported in the attack.

In a statement, the Carabinieri said the four suspects, detained near Naples, were strongly suspected of possessing, transporting and using explosive devices in a public place, issuing threats and causing damage under aggravating circumstances linked to acting as part of a group using mafia-style methods.

Three of the suspects were placed in pre-trial detention, while a fourth was ordered under house arrest, police said.

Ranucci, host of the investigative television programme “Report” on public broadcaster Rai 3, has lived under police protection for several years because of repeated death threats linked to his reporting.

Speaking to Italy’s ANSA news agency following the bombing, Ranucci said he had received “an endless list of threats.”

The investigation, led by the Rome Anti-Mafia Prosecutor’s Office, involved extensive analysis of surveillance camera footage, telephone records and forensic examinations of the explosive device, according to the Carabinieri.

Investigators believe the individuals who carried out the bombing acted on behalf of unidentified third parties who allegedly organized logistical support, including financial assistance, dedicated mobile phone cards, legal support and contingency plans to facilitate the suspects’ escape abroad if necessary.

Authorities said efforts to identify those believed to have ordered the attack remain ongoing.

The meeting, held in the French Riviera resort town of Antibes, marked the first Franco-Italian summit since the implementation of the 2021 strategic partnership treaty that elevated relations between the two countries.

In a statement ahead of the talks, the French presidency stressed the importance of deeper collaboration in key sectors including defense, nuclear energy, and space, declaring that France and Italy “need each other.”

Relations between Macron and Meloni have often been strained due to ideological differences. Macron is a pro-European centrist, while Meloni leads a right-wing coalition in Italy. However, both leaders have recently sought to improve ties and enhance cooperation on common European challenges.

The summit comes shortly after Meloni publicly distanced herself from US President Donald Trump following disagreements over his foreign policy rhetoric. Analysts believe the development could encourage closer coordination between Rome and Paris within the European Union.

Despite progress, differences remain on issues such as migration policy and military support for Ukraine. Italy opposes deploying troops to Ukraine even in a post-war security arrangement, while France has been more open to such discussions.

During the summit, the two countries were expected to sign agreements covering defense cooperation, including support for the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defense system supplied to Ukraine. Additional agreements focus on nuclear energy collaboration and the development of a European satellite initiative designed to compete with private systems such as Starlink.

Political observers describe the meeting as an effort to transform a cautious rapprochement into a more structured partnership at a time when Europe faces growing security, economic, and strategic challenges.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed the release of the three activists, who were part of an international convoy seeking to transport humanitarian supplies, including medicine and temporary housing units, to the Gaza Strip.

According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, the group was among approximately 230 activists from multiple countries involved in the overland mission. The organization said the three Italians had crossed into neighboring Tunisia following their release and were accompanied by a Tunisian activist who had also been detained.

The activists were identified by Tajani as Domenico Centrone, Leonarda Alberizia and Matias Alvarez Rodriguez, an Italian citizen born in Uruguay.

The Global Sumud Flotilla said another six detainees were expected to be released within the next 24 hours. The organization alleged that those held had been subjected to arbitrary detention, communication restrictions and sustained psychological pressure during their confinement.

The detentions occurred amid growing international attention on activist-led efforts to challenge restrictions on access to Gaza, where humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned of shortages of food, medicine and essential supplies following months of conflict.

Israel maintains control over access points into Gaza and has enforced a blockade on the territory since 2007. During the war, aid deliveries have faced repeated disruptions, intensifying concerns among international humanitarian organizations.

The release comes weeks after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the treatment of activists detained during previous Gaza-related missions. Her comments followed the circulation of video footage posted by an Israeli minister showing detained activists bound and kneeling, images that drew criticism from several governments, including Australia, Canada and Spain.

The Global Sumud Flotilla has organized a series of maritime and overland initiatives intended to deliver assistance to Gaza. Last month, around 50 vessels departed from Türkiye as part of a renewed effort to reach the enclave after earlier missions were intercepted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the flotilla campaign, describing it as an operation designed to assist Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza.

Previous attempts by activists to reach Gaza have encountered repeated obstacles. In April, a flotilla operating in international waters near Greece was intercepted, and most participants were subsequently returned to Europe.

The circumstances surrounding the detention of the activists in Libya have not been publicly detailed by Libyan authorities.

During a pastoral visit to Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, near Milan, Leo prayed at Cabrini’s tomb and led an evening prayer service, praising the missionary nun’s dedication to migrants who left their homelands in search of better lives. The visit formed part of the pope’s broader effort to engage with communities across Italy during his first year in office.

Cabrini, an Italian-born missionary who later became a naturalized American citizen, is best known for her work among Italian immigrants in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. She established schools, hospitals and orphanages across several countries before her death in Chicago in 1917. She was canonized in 1946, becoming the first American saint.

Addressing the faithful, Leo said Cabrini’s example remained highly relevant in a world marked by migration, displacement and humanitarian challenges. He encouraged young people in particular to study her writings and life story as a source of inspiration for service and leadership.

The pope linked Cabrini’s mission to the priorities of his predecessor, , who consistently emphasized the protection of migrants and refugees throughout his papacy. Leo asked believers to reflect on how Cabrini and Francis would respond to the challenges facing migrants today.

The remarks reinforced a theme that has become central to Leo’s pontificate. In recent weeks, he has repeatedly highlighted the plight of migrants, including during a visit to the Canary Islands, a major arrival point for migrants traveling from West Africa to Europe.

The pope is scheduled to continue that focus on July 4 with a visit to , the Italian island that has become one of the principal entry points for migrants crossing the Mediterranean. The visit carries symbolic significance because it was the destination of Francis’ first trip outside Rome after his election in 2013.

Before arriving in Cabrini’s hometown, Leo stopped in the city of to pray at the tomb of , the fifth-century theologian whose teachings inspired the Augustinian order to which the pope belongs.

During his remarks there, Leo expressed concern over declining religious participation in Italy and urged Catholics to rediscover the spiritual depth of the Christian faith. He pointed to Augustine’s conversion, writings and reflections on interior life as enduring sources of guidance for modern believers.

The pope described himself as a “son of St. Augustine,” reaffirming the influence of the theologian’s teachings on his ministry and signaling that Augustine’s emphasis on spiritual renewal will continue to shape the direction of his papacy.

Tajani called Trump’s remarks “serious and offensive” toward both Meloni and Italy, while announcing the cancellation of his scheduled visit to Washington this weekend.

The dispute erupted after an interview with Trump aired on Italy’s La7 television network on Friday. According to the broadcaster, Trump said Meloni had requested a photo opportunity with him during the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains and claimed she had “begged” for it. La7 published a dubbed version of the exchange online.

Responding in a video statement, Meloni described Trump’s account as “completely fabricated” and expressed surprise at the comments.

“Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly stunned,” Meloni said. “I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his own allies.”

She added: “Italy and I do not beg.”

The unusually direct public rebuttal marked one of Meloni’s sharpest responses to Trump since the start of his second term. The Italian leader had initially sought to preserve close transatlantic ties and position herself as a bridge between Washington and the European Union, including by attending Trump’s inauguration as the only European Union head of government present.

Relations between Rome and Washington, however, have become increasingly strained over several foreign policy issues. Meloni has criticized the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran as illegal, while Italy remains a firm supporter of Ukraine, an issue that has also generated friction with Trump.

Differences over U.S. tariffs and Washington’s support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza have further complicated bilateral relations.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also rejected Trump’s characterization, saying he could not imagine Meloni asking anyone for a photograph.

“I can, however, imagine how much it cost her to set aside what Trump had said weeks ago, to serve the interests of Italy, of Europe, and of the West,” Crosetto wrote on X.

He added that such remarks did not benefit either country or the broader Western alliance.

The controversy follows earlier criticism directed at Meloni by Trump in an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper in April, when he faulted her opposition to the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran. Meloni did not publicly respond at the time.

The latest exchange has brought those tensions into the open, underscoring the challenges facing one of Washington’s traditionally closest partners in Europe as disagreements widen over key geopolitical issues.

On Sicily’s southeastern coast, the Vendicari Nature Reserve has become a destination for visitors seeking an alternative to the island’s more heavily developed tourist areas.

Located south of the city of Syracuse, the protected wetland is known for its coastal landscapes, birdlife and agricultural surroundings. The reserve, which was preserved from development, serves as an important stopover for migratory species traveling between Europe and Africa.

For travelers staying near the reserve, the experience is often defined by contrasts. Rural farm buildings stand alongside citrus groves, while coastal lagoons and beaches remain largely untouched compared with many Mediterranean tourism centers.

One visitor’s stay in a traditional Sicilian farmstead, or baglio, offered a close view of the area’s natural environment. Initially perceived as isolated and basic, the accommodation was situated on the edge of the reserve among lemon orchards and within sight of the coastline.

The sounds heard during stormy weather on arrival, initially mistaken for traffic and farm animals, took on a different meaning once conditions improved. With clear skies and calmer weather, the noise proved to be a combination of waves breaking along the shore and the calls of flamingos inhabiting the reserve’s wetlands.

The presence of flamingos has become one of Vendicari’s defining attractions. The reserve’s lagoons and shallow lakes provide habitat for a range of bird species, with migratory populations gathering seasonally in significant numbers.

At the heart of the reserve are two wetland areas that support diverse wildlife. During migration periods, visitors can observe flamingos, wading birds and other species that rely on the protected ecosystem for feeding and resting.

Beyond its ecological significance, the surrounding landscape reflects Sicily’s agricultural history. Lemon cultivation remains an important feature of the region, with orchards extending across large sections of the countryside bordering the reserve.

Local lemon varieties are widely recognized for their quality and abundance. The fruit is commonly used in regional cuisine and forms part of the area’s agricultural identity. Visitors frequently encounter groves stretching between coastal paths and rural settlements.

The reserve itself offers walking routes through wetlands, scrubland and coastal terrain. Trails pass areas of wild vegetation including fennel and seasonal flowers, creating a landscape that changes noticeably throughout the year.

Scattered across the countryside are traditional bagli, fortified agricultural compounds that historically served both residential and defensive purposes. These structures were designed around central courtyards and provided protection for crops, livestock and farming equipment.

Many date back to periods when rural communities faced security concerns and isolated farms were vulnerable to theft and attacks. While some buildings have been restored, others remain partially abandoned, offering visible reminders of the region’s agricultural past.

The combination of natural habitats and historic architecture has helped distinguish Vendicari from other destinations in Sicily. Conservation measures have preserved extensive stretches of coastline and wetland, allowing wildlife and traditional rural landscapes to coexist.

For visitors, the appeal often lies in that balance. A walk through citrus groves can lead to birdwatching sites overlooking lagoons, while centuries-old farm buildings provide insight into the social and economic history of southeastern Sicily.

As tourism continues to grow across the Mediterranean, Vendicari stands out as an example of how protected landscapes can support both conservation and recreation. The reserve’s wetlands, coastal scenery and agricultural heritage continue to attract travelers seeking a quieter side of Sicily, far from the island’s busiest resorts.

At sunset, the reserve’s combination of open water, citrus orchards and migratory birdlife offers a reminder of the environmental value that led to its protection and continues to define its character today.