MOSCOW. March 2 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi who will meet in Moscow on March 5 will discuss the situation in Ukraine and some issues relating to the countries' cooperation.
"Emphasis will, of course, be made on the crisis situation in Ukraine. The Italians are hoping that there will be substantive exchange of opinions on the Libyan issue and, naturally, the situation in the Middle East. The Syrian conflict will also be addressed," Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told reporters.
Ushakov said "Renzi's position on the Ukrainian issue has its nuances and there will be substantive and useful conversation with regard for them."
During his visit to Moscow, Renzi will meet with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and will have negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin (one-on-one and with members of the delegations in a working lunch format).
"After that, there will be a press conference. The leaders will issue relevant statements. The Italian side asked for no questions from journalists," Ushakov said.
"It will be the first visit by the young Italian leader in the capacity of prime minister to Moscow. Putin met with Renzi in Milan at the Europe-Asia forum in October and at the G20 summit in Brisbane on November 15," the presidential aide said.
According to the Kremlin press service, Renzi will visit Moscow at Putin's invitation.
"The agenda of the negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Matteo Renzi includes the exchange of opinions on some vital international issues, including the situation in Syria and Lebanon, the spread of the terrorist activities by the Islamic State, and also the situation in Ukraine and the observance of the Minsk agreements," the report says.
The negotiations will also address "the development of bilateral ties, including trade and economic cooperation and investment cooperation and interaction in the cultural and humanitarian spheres."
The Russian government press service has reported that Medvedev and Renzi will discuss the implementation of joint projects.
"During the negotiations, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will discuss bilateral agenda issues, specifically, cooperation in the trade-economic sphere, implementation of joint industrial and high-tech projects, and interaction in the cultural and humanitarian spheres," the report says.