Putin Visits Vatican

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Rome, where he will hold talks with Italian leaders and is also scheduled to meet with Pope Francis of the Vatican.

Some analysts have said Putin's visit could lay the groundwork for a potential Pope's visit to Russia.

Russian News Agency T The ASS, announced that the July 4th visit will include talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giuseppe Ctete.

The Russian leader seeks to strengthen economic ties with Italy, which is a member of NATO and the EU.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvin, who has expressed admiration for Putin, has called for easing EU sanctions imposed against Moscow due to the prosecution of the Crimea, and for its support of separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine.

Putin said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera that he estimates Italy's “commitment to strengthen mutual understanding in the Euro-Atlantic zone”.

“We have a special relationship with Italy, which has been tested by”, he said.

Russia and the West are in constant tension over issues involving the conflicts of Ukraine and Syria, Moscow's intervention in the elections of other countries, and the nervous attack on former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the southern British town of Salisbury.