Premier Paolo Gentiloni said Italy
was supporting a resumption in dialogue between Russia and the
EU after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on
Wednesday.
"It is necessary to resume the EU-Russia dialogue with
strength," Gentiloni said.
"It is a strategic partnership that the Ukraine crisis cannot
cancel out".
Gentiloni added, however, that Italy will not break ranks
from the rest of the EU over sanctions on Russia.
"No one should think that Italy will break ranks with its
allies on its own," he said.
He also stressed that the renewal of the sanctions on Russia
following the Ukraine crisis was a decision that "cannot be
taken on autopilot without discussions beforehand".
Putin highlighted the importance of relations with Rome in a
joint press conference held after the bilateral meeting.
"Italy is an important partner for Russia," he said.
"It is one of the key countries in our foreign trade. I want
to stress the importance of today's meeting with Premier Paolo
Gentiloni. We discussed many issues".
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