Putin: "Russia has no relations with the G7"

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared during his visit to Italy that Moscow has no relations with the G7 countries.

In a press conference with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Milan today, Putin said that Russia currently has no relations with the G7, which includes Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and Canada, according to Reuters.

Putin also argued that Russia had voiced its position as a member of the G8, but other countries felt they no longer needed Moscow's contribution.

During his visit to Italy, the Russian president expressed his desire to improve the situation as Western sanctions negatively impacted the economy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters

"My Italian partners always put the interests of their country and people above all else, and believe that in order to serve the national interest, including economic and political interests, they must maintain close relations with Russia," Putin told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. Putin may also be hoping for sympathy from Pope Francis.

However, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni showed no signs of changing his country's stance on the Ukraine issue. Gentiloni told Corriere della Sera that Italy combines its cooperation with its allies with its special relationship with Russia.

Moscow has not been invited to the G8 meeting since last year, due to disagreements over how to handle the Ukraine crisis. The G7 countries have affirmed their determination not to see Russia return and may impose further sanctions if fighting in eastern Ukraine escalates.

According to Vnexpress