Russia’s Putin tests EU unity with visit to Italy’s Renzi

Russia's president Vladimir Putin visited Italy in June 2015 to attend the World Expo in Milano, to hold meetings with Italy's prime minister Matteo Renzi and to visit the Vatican.

During the visit, Mr Putin criticised sanctions against his country and highlighted that bilateral trade had declined by 10 percent in the last quarter of 2014 and by 25 percent in the first quarter of this year sue to sanctions.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 10.06.15: Putin attacks EU sanctions on Italy trip https://euobserver.com/foreign/129059

The Guardian, 10.06.15: Putin's trip to Rome underscores Russia's special relationship with Italy http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/10/vladimir-putin-russia-trip-rome-italy

RT, 10.06.15: Sanctions eroded 25% of Russian-Italian trade in 2015 – Putin http://rt.com/business/266302-putin-russia-italy-trade/

The Independent, 10.06.15: Vladimir Putin meets Italian Prime Minister amid effort to 'weaken' EU efforts against Russia http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vladimir-putin-meets-italian-prime-minister-amid-effort-to-weaken-eu-efforts-against-russia-10311663.html

RT, 10.06.15: Putin visits Italy: Milan Expo, Pope & old pal Silvio http://rt.com/news/266221-putin-italy-visit-expo2015/

Deutsche Welle, 10.06.15: Putin visits Italy after G7 snub http://dw.de/p/1FeiS

The Moscow Times, 10.06.15: Italy's Renzi Welcomes Putin to Rome But Highlights 'Differences' http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/523376.html

The Moscow Times, 10.06.15: Putin Visits Italy, Pope as U.S. Seeks More Vatican Criticism http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/news/article/putin-visits-italy-pope-as-us-seeks-more-vatican-criticism/523421.html

EUObserver, 10.06.15: Putin to stress business ties on Italy trip https://euobserver.com/foreign/129050

Euronews, 10.06.15: Putin hails 'special relationship' with Italy on Milan visit http://www.euronews.com/2015/06/10/putin-hails-special-relationship-with-italy-on-milan-visit/

Sputnik International, 11.06.15: Putin Satisfied After Meetings With Italy's Renzi, Pope Francis http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150611/1023196063.html

Politico, 17.06.15; Putin’s best EU friends http://www.politico.eu/article/putin-friends-renzi-tsipras/

ESO: Background information: EU leaders seek renewal of Russian sanctions http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-leaders-seek-renewal-of-russian-sanctions/

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