MOSCOW. Aug 17 (Interfax) - Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Guglielmo Picchi discussed the condition of Oleh Sentsov, a filmmaker incarcerated in Russia, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko in a telephone conversation on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Guglielmo Picchi brought up Oleh Sentsov's situation. The Russian side mentioned the unacceptable politically motivated persecutions and detentions of Russian citizens in Ukraine," the ministry said.
Grushko expressed his condolences over the tragic collapse of a bridge near Genoa, which caused numerous fatalities, it said.
The two diplomats also discussed Italy's plans for its presidency of the OSCE this year, including "preparations for a meeting of the OSCE foreign ministers in Milan on December 6-7 and the schedule of political events and contacts."
The Italian side proposed the conversation, the ministry said.