“Business and constructive”: how did the talks between Putin and the Italian prime minister

Russia hopes that Italy will continue to advocate for the return of Moscow and Brussels to full-fledged relations. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin following negotiations with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

“We hope that Italy will express this position consistently, clearly and will fight for what has repeatedly sounded publicly, namely, for a full-fledged return to normal relations between Russia and Europe as a whole,” Putin said.

The Russian leader stressed that Rome adheres to this position despite the obligations that Italy has to fulfill as a member of NATO and the European Union. In turn, Conte stressed that he opposes the extension of EU sanctions against Russia.

“Every time we approach the deadline for the expiration of sanctions, I am always sad, because the extension of sanctions is not the goal that I wish for myself, Italy and Russian friends,” he admitted.

The negotiations themselves took place in a businesslike and constructive manner. This is noted by both leaders.

“I fully agree with my colleague Mr. Giuseppe Conte, with the assessments he gave to our negotiations. They really were business and constructive. This also applies to a detailed conversation with the President of the Italian Republic, Mr. Sergio Mattarella, ”said Putin.

Recall Putin arrived in Rome on Thursday, July 4, with an official visit. As the negotiators themselves said, among the topics discussed was the development of bilateral relations. Considerable attention was paid to economic cooperation, Putin said. In particular, he recalled that Russia is the largest gas supplier to Italy and provides 35% of the country's needs.

Other topics raised by the leaders during the negotiations include the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the armed standoff in Libya, and the political crisis in Venezuela.

So, Conte noted that Italy supports the full implementation of the Minsk agreements and in support of the Norman format in Ukraine. And in response to a question about Russia's obligations, Putin recalled that the implementation of the agreements lies with Kiev, and urged not to shift the responsibility to the Russian Federation.

“Why do you never ask our Ukrainian partners: when will you do it?” We can't do it for them. Let me issue this decree, what will it be then? What will it be? Or it is necessary to make a decision on amnesty: the law has been adopted - not signed by the president (Ukraine. - RT ). This is directly recorded in the Minsk agreements. And so on. Let's calmly figure out who should do what and “, - the Russian president stressed.

Journalists also asked about the settlement in Libya. Vladimir Putin recalled that the political crisis in this country began after the bombing by this NATO force in 2011 and noted that Russia, although not a participant in these attacks, is ready to help resolve the current conflict.

Speaking about the confrontation of proclaimed himself the interim president of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, with the legitimately elected head of state, Nicolas Maduro, Putin called for refusing to give up outside interference and start a political dialogue. Conte, in turn, recalled that Italy did not recognize the status of head of state for Guaido.

“Mr. Guaido walked out to the square, looked up to the sky and, turning to the Lord, declared himself president. Oh well. But the Lord did not tell us how he reacted to this appeal, he did not give us any signal. Therefore, I think that it is necessary to return to our sinful, frail land, and be guided by democratic procedures and rules that boil down to one thing - to dialogue, to appeal to the people, to the voters. We need to go to the elections and decide the issues of future development, ”Putin said.

“Sanctions are not needed”

Note in Italy have repeatedly called for a review of the sanctions policy against Russia. Thus, in May, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini called for abandoning restrictive measures against Moscow.

“I continue to believe that sanctions are not needed. The question of their withdrawal unites all decent people, ”he said.

On the eve of Putin's arrival, Conte noted the high level of bilateral relations between Russia and Italy.

"The level of bilateral relations seems to me very good, they are also strengthened by excellent personal relations with President Putin," Rossiyskaya Gazeta quotes him.

Conte also expressed the hope that Italy would be able to demonstrate the same level of hospitality that Russia had rendered him in October 2018.

“I will have the opportunity to repay President Putin with the same hospitality with which he met me in Moscow last October. We have the opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and ways to increase them, ”said the Italian Prime Minister.

According to experts, the development of bilateral relations between countries is now becoming more important than cooperation within wide platforms. Thus, political scientist Alexander Asafov, in a conversation with RT, noted that the dialogue between the leaders or negotiations at the parliamentary level show high performance.

“Bilateral contacts are much more important now than contacts at some common sites,” he said. “Nevertheless, it is obvious that since many European countries have embarked on strengthening their own sovereignty while remaining within the EU and other agreements, we see that bilateral contacts on party, inter-parliamentary relations, at the level of leaders, show very good effectiveness.”

“I think that in the future there will be more and more bilateral contacts that could lead to new unions and associations. In any case, these are positive signs, ”Asafov stressed.

Italy plays a significant role in the formation of pan-European authorities, and therefore, developing a dialogue with it, Russia lays the foundation for relations with the European Union, says Dmitry Solonnikov, director of the Institute of Contemporary State Development.

“New governing bodies of the European Union are being formed, and Italy in this part will have its serious proposals and influence on the new course of the EU. And here it is important to consolidate the positions that Italy will continue to represent there, and how this will be coordinated with politicians in the framework of good-neighborly relations with Russia, ”he told RT.

Meeting with Francis

During his visit, Vladimir Putin came to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis and walked through the halls of the Apostolic Library. The President of the Russian Federation was accompanied by the ceremonial corps of the Vatican, the Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and members of the Russian delegation.

To this day, Putin and Francis have met twice. For the first time in November 2013, once again - in June 2015 in the Vatican. After a short photo session, the Russian leader and the Pope began negotiations.

Their conversation lasted about an hour. Putin and Francis discussed interchurch relations, as well as the situation in Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela.

“The parties discussed some issues that are important for the life of the Catholic Church in Russia. During the conversation, ecology issues and some topical international topics related to, inter alia, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela were touched upon, ”the press service of the Holy See clarifies.

Following the meeting, Putin and the pontiff exchanged gifts. The President handed the Pope Francis an icon in the riza “Saints Peter and Paul”, an album with the works of Michelangelo and a copy of the film The Sin by Andrei Konchalovsky, which is dedicated to the life of Michelangelo.

In turn, the pontiff presented the Russian leader with a medal, a message from the youth and a picture of the 18th century with a view of the Vatican. Following the meeting, Putin and Francis refrained from making statements in the presence of the press.

After the meeting with Francis, the Russian leader spoke with the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Vladimir Legoyda, head of the Synodal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate on Church Relations with Society and the Media, called the meeting of the President of Russia and the Pontiff useful.

“The Vatican and Russia have similar positions on a number of issues of world politics; they consider important the support of traditional values ​​of marriage and family, the protection of the rights of Christians in those regions where they are persecuted. Therefore, from the point of view of the Church, of course, this meeting is important and useful, ”wrote Legoida in his Telegram channel.