Why Italy Seeks Cooperation from Russia

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on March 5. It will be an encounter between two nations with strong commercial ties but few common military or political interests. However, events in Eastern Europe and North Africa have created links involving Italy, Russia, Libya and Egypt. Italy wants Russia to contribute to a de-escalation of the conflict in Ukraine so it can pressure the European Union to lift sanctions against Moscow. Italy also wants Russian support to stabilize Libya. However, Moscow has few concessions it can make to Rome.