Sputnik Italy asked Orietta Moscatelli, the head of Askanews agency’s international news desk, to say a few worlds about the outcome of President Mattarella’s visit to Moscow.
“[President Mattarella came to Moscow] to reiterate Italy’s desire to engage in a dialogue with Russia and underscore Russia’s important role in the settlement of the crisis in Syria and of other international problems,” Orietta Moscatelli said.
Mentioning the recent visits to Moscow by Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti and Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano and a planned visit by Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, she said that Italy is holding out for a constructive dialogue with Russia.
President Mattarella’s visit, which came at a time of uncertainty and tensions between Russia and the West, reflects Italy’s traditional desire to be on good terms with Moscow.
“I see a great deal of interest in Italy and in Europe as a whole, in working together with Russia, and this was the unofficial message sent by the recent G7 summit in Lucca,” Moscatelli, said.
She added that this desire was also evident Wednesday during a meeting between US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and his Russian colleague Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.
“That was a tense meeting, but the first thing Tillerson said was that he hoped to find a constructive approach and establish a dialogue with Russia,” Orietta Moscatelli noted.
The sides also discussed the situation in Syria and Ukraine, as well as peace in the Middle East.
Sergio Mattarella urged Vladimir Putin to use Russia's influence to enhance the cease-fire in Donbass.
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